irritability

ir·ri·ta·bil·i·ty

noun \ˌir-ə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\

plural ir·ri·ta·bil·i·ties

Definition of IRRITABILITY

1

: the property of protoplasm and of living organisms that permits them to react to stimuli

2

: the quality or state of being irritable: as a : quick excitability to annoyance, impatience, or anger : petulance b : abnormal or excessive excitability of an organ or part of the body

Examples of IRRITABILITY

1. <the librarian's well-known irritability makes students hesitant to ask questions>

First Known Use of IRRITABILITY

1755

Related to IRRITABILITY

Synonyms: biliousness, choler, crankiness, crossness, crotchetiness, grouchiness, grumpiness, huffiness, irascibility, irascibleness, petulance, irritableness, peevishness, perverseness, perversity, pettishness, testiness, waspishness

Related Words: cantankerousness, crustiness, curmudgeonliness, disagreeableness, dyspepsia, fretfulness, orneriness, sulkiness, surliness; aggression, aggressiveness, bellicosity, belligerence, belligerency, combativeness, contentiousness, contrariness, disputatiousness, feistiness, fight, pugnaciousness, pugnacity, quarrelsomeness, scrappiness, truculence, truculency; fussiness, querulousness, rudeness; oversensitiveness, sensitivity, supersensitivity, touchiness; animosity, antagonism, antipathy, fierceness, hostility, jaundice, rancor, unfriendliness; anger, exasperation, fury, indignation, rage, spleen, wrath; hot-bloodedness, passion

Near Antonyms: forbearance, long-suffering, patience, tolerance, understanding; affability, agreeableness, amenity, amicability, cordiality, friendliness, geniality, sociability; amiability, amiableness, good-humoredness, good-naturedness, good-temperedness; coolness, serenity, tranquillity (or tranquility); easygoingness, gentleness, kindliness, mildness

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