Online English Vocabulary Flashcards for Prefix ir- Words

irascible (adjective) /ɪˈrasɪb(ə)l/
Definition: Having a tendency to become easily angered, irritated, or provoked.
Example Sentence: "The irascible manager was quick to lash out at his employees."
Synonyms: captious; crabby; fractious; irritable; narky; prickly
Opposite Meaning: easy-going

irate (adjective) /ʌɪˈreɪt/
Definition: Extremely angry, furious, or incensed due to a perceived wrong, injustice, or frustration.
Example Sentence: "She was irate when she received the bill for the damages."
Synonyms: agitated; angry; enraged; exasperated; fuming; furious
Opposite Meaning: calm

iridescent (adjective) /ˌɪrəˈdɛsənt/
Definition: Displaying a play of lustrous, rainbow-like colors that change as the angle of observation changes.
Example Sentence: "The pearl's iridescent luster was a sign of its quality and value."
Synonyms: colorful; multicolored; nacreous; opalescent; opaline; pearlescent
Opposite Meaning: monochrome

irk (verb) /ɜrk/
Definition: To be annoyed, irritated, or bothered by someone or something.
Example Sentence: "The noisy neighbors irk her so much that she's considering moving."
Synonyms: agitate; annoy; bother; exasperate; gall; grate
Opposite Meaning: please

irksome (adjective) /ˈəːks(ə)m/
Definition: Annoying, tedious, or bothersome in nature, causing irritation or frustration.
Example Sentence: "The irksome sound of the alarm clock woke him up from his sleep."
Synonyms: aggravating; annoying; bothersome; disagreeable; exasperating; galling
Opposite Meaning: pleasant

ironic (adjective) /aɪˈrɒn ɪk/
Definition: Displaying a sharp contrast between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs.
Example Sentence: "It was ironic that he forgot his umbrella on the one day it rained."
Synonyms: humorous; incongruous; paradoxical; peculiar; quaint; surprising
Opposite Meaning: straightforward

irony (noun) /ˈaɪ rə ni/
Definition: A stark contrast between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs, often leading to a sense of incongruity or amusement.
Example Sentence: "It was a cruel irony that the firefighter's house burned down while he was out saving others."
Synonyms: absurdity; contradiction; cynicism; incongruity; mockery; paradox
Opposite Meaning: straightforwardness

irrational (adjective) /ɪræʃənəl/
Definition: Lacking reason, logic, or sound judgment.
Example Sentence: "Emily's irrational jealousy over her partner's harmless interactions with others strained their relationship unnecessarily."
Synonyms: absurd; crazy; delusional; erratic; foolish; illogical
Opposite Meaning: rational

irreconcilable (adjective) /ɪˈrɛkənsaɪləbᵊl/
Definition: Incapable of being resolved or brought into agreement.
Example Sentence: "The couple's irreconcilable differences led to their divorce."
Synonyms: antagonistic; clashing; conflicting; contradictory; divisive; implacable
Opposite Meaning: harmonious

irrecoverable (adjective) /ˌɪr ɪˈkʌv ər ə bəl/
Definition: Cannot be recovered, regained, or retrieved.
Example Sentence: "His careless words caused irrecoverable damage to their friendship."
Synonyms: gone; irredeemable; irreparable; irretrievable; irreversible; irrevocable
Opposite Meaning: retrievable

irreducible (adjective) /ˌɪrɪˈdjuːsɪbl/
Definition: Cannot be reduced, simplified, or made smaller in size or complexity.
Example Sentence: "In his heart, there was an irreducible hope that things would change."
Synonyms: essential; immutable; inalienable; inalterable; indivisible; inexorable
Opposite Meaning: reducible

irrefutable (adjective) /ˌɪrɪˈfjuːtəbl/
Definition: Absolutely indisputable, beyond any doubt or argument, and impossible to refute or contradict.
Example Sentence: "The detective gathered irrefutable evidence that led to the arrest of the culprit."
Synonyms: absolute; certain; clear; evident; incontestable; incontrovertible
Opposite Meaning: disputable

irregular (adjective) /ɪregjʊləʳ/
Definition: Deviating from the standard or usual pattern, form, or arrangement.
Example Sentence: "She noticed that her heartbeat was irregular and decided to visit the doctor."
Synonyms: abnormal; asymmetrical; atypical; erratic; haphazard; nonconforming
Opposite Meaning: regular

irregularity (noun) /ɪˌrɛg yəˈlær ɪ ti/
Definition: The state or quality of deviating from the usual or expected pattern, form, or behavior.
Example Sentence: "The inspector found several irregularities in the financial records."
Synonyms: aberration; anomaly; defect; deviation; discrepancy; flaw
Opposite Meaning: conformity

irrelevant (adjective) /ɪˈrɛl ə vənt/
Definition: Not connected, applicable, or pertinent to the matter at hand.
Example Sentence: "The age of the applicant is irrelevant as long as they possess the required skills."
Synonyms: extraneous; immaterial; inapplicable; inconsequential; insignificant; negligible
Opposite Meaning: pertinent

irreparable (adjective) /ɪˈrɛp ər ə bəl/
Definition: Cannot be repaired, restored, or rectified.
Example Sentence: "The earthquake caused irreparable damage to the city's historic buildings."
Synonyms: incurable; irrecoverable; irredeemable; irremediable; irretrievable; irreversible
Opposite Meaning: fixable

irreproachable (adjective) /ɪrɪˈprəʊtʃəb(ə)l/
Definition: Faultless, blameless, or beyond criticism or reproach.
Example Sentence: "The pilot's safety record was irreproachable, instilling confidence in the passengers."
Synonyms: exceptional; exemplary; faultless; flawless; honorable; immaculate
Opposite Meaning: blameworthy

irresistible (adjective) /ˌɪrɪˈzɪstɪbl/
Definition: So captivating, appealing, or enticing that it is impossible to resist or refuse.
Example Sentence: "The smell of freshly baked cookies was irresistible."
Synonyms: alluring; compelling; compulsive; enticing; inescapable; inviting
Opposite Meaning: resistible

irresolute (adjective) /ɪˈrɛz əˌlut/
Definition: Lacking firmness, determination, or the ability to make decisive choices.
Example Sentence: "She seemed irresolute about whether to accept the job offer."
Synonyms: ambivalent; dithering; doubtful; faltering; hesitant; indecisive
Opposite Meaning: determined

irresponsible (adjective) /ˌɪr ɪˈspɒn sə bəl/
Definition: Lacking a sense of duty, accountability, or consideration for the consequences of one's actions.
Example Sentence: "It is irresponsible to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs."
Synonyms: careless; heedless; immature; imprudent; inconsiderate; negligent
Opposite Meaning: responsible

irreverent (adjective) /ɪˈrɛvərənt/
Definition: Showing a lack of respect or reverence towards something that is typically held in high regard.
Example Sentence: "The student's irreverent behavior in class disrupted the lesson."
Synonyms: audacious; blasphemous; cheeky; contemptuous; disrespectful; flippant
Opposite Meaning: respectful

irrevocable (adjective) /ɪˈrɛvəkəbəl/
Definition: Cannot be changed or undone
Example Sentence: "The damage caused by the fire was irrevocable and could not be undone."
Synonyms: changeless; enduring; final; fixed; immutable; irremediable
Opposite Meaning: reversible

irrigation (noun) /ˌɪrɪˈɡeiʃən/
Definition: The practice or system of supplying water to land areas that require additional moisture for agricultural purposes, plant growth, or landscaping.
Example Sentence: "The golf course relies on an extensive irrigation network to keep the grass lush and green."
Synonyms: dampening; dousing; drenching; dripping; flooding; hydration
Opposite Meaning: dehydration

irritate (verb) /ˈɪr ɪˌteɪt/
Definition: To cause annoyance, frustration, or provocation in someone or something.
Example Sentence: "His constant humming began to irritate me during the long journey."
Synonyms: agitate; annoy; bother; exasperate; gall; irk
Opposite Meaning: soothe

irritating (adjective) /ˈɪr ɪˌteɪ tɪŋ/
Definition: Causing annoyance, frustration, or agitation.
Example Sentence: "His incessant tapping on the table was extremely irritating to everyone in the room."
Synonyms: agitating; annoying; bothersome; exasperating; frustrating; grating
Opposite Meaning: pleasing

irritation (noun) /ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃᵊn/
Definition: A state of annoyance, frustration, or displeasure caused by something that provokes impatience, agitation, or discomfort.
Example Sentence: "The repetitive beeping of the car alarm was a source of irritation for the entire neighborhood."
Synonyms: agitation; annoyance; bother; displeasure; exasperation; frustration
Opposite Meaning: pleasure