The term “irritant” refers to something that causes irritation or annoyance. A synonym for “irritant” could be “annoyance”. An annoyance is something that bothers or disturbs a person, much like an irritant. For example, a loud noise can be an annoyance and also an irritant.
Another synonym is “nuisance”. A nuisance is something that is troublesome or offensive. It can cause irritation in the same way that an irritant does. For instance, a persistent fly buzzing around can be a nuisance and an irritant.
“provocation” is also a possible synonym. Provocation implies something that incites or stirs up a reaction. It can lead to irritation or annoyance, similar to an irritant. For example, a sarcastic remark can be a provocation and an irritant.
All of these synonyms for “irritant” capture the essence of something that causes discomfort or annoyance. Whether it’s an external factor like a noise or an action by someone else, these words describe the negative impact on a person’s state of mind or well-being.
In conclusion, “annoyance”, “nuisance”, and “provocation” are useful synonyms for “irritant” and can help to express the concept of something that causes irritation in different contexts.