exasperate

[ ig-zas-puh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ex·as·per·at·ed, ex·as·per·at·ing.

1. to irritate or provoke to a high degree; annoy extremely:

   He was exasperated by the senseless delays.

   Synonyms: infuriate, inflame, vex, anger, provoke, incense

2. Archaic. to increase the intensity or violence of (disease, pain, feelings, etc.).

   Synonyms: exacerbate

adjective

1. Botany. rough; covered with hard, projecting points, as a leaf.

exasperate

/ ɪɡˈzɑːspəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to cause great irritation or anger to; infuriate
2. to cause (an unpleasant feeling, condition, etc) to worsen; aggravate

adjective

1. botany having a rough prickly surface because of the presence of hard projecting points

Derived Forms

• exˌasperˈation, noun
• exˈasperˌater, noun
• exˈasperˌatedly, adverb
• exˈasperˌating, adjective
• exˈasperˌatingly, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·as·per·at·er noun
• ex·as·per·at·ing·ly adverb
• un·ex·as·per·at·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exasperate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin exasperātus (past participle of exasperāre “to make rough, provoke”), equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + asper “harsh, rough” + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of exasperate¹

C16: from Latin exasperāre to make rough, from asper rough

Synonym Study

See irritate.

Example Sentences

Booing without reprieve, exasperated Roma supporters eventually gave up and began to leave the stadium.

From BBC

Like I said, the Oscars can be exasperating.

From Los Angeles Times

Maybe I’m just hardwired to say this as a Gen X-er, but it’s been exasperating to see that optimism harden among some boomers into a kind of deluded self-regard.

From Los Angeles Times

But what happens when a family member is also a friend, albeit one who is as loving and magnetic as he is exasperating and inappropriate?

From Los Angeles Times

An exasperated Sir Lindsay said failing to do so was a "supreme discourtesy to the House" and he was "very, very disappointed" with Reeves.

From BBC

Related Words

• agitate
• annoy
• disturb
• embitter
• enrage
• excite
• gall
• incense
• infuriate
• irk
• irritate
• peeve
• rankle
• rile
• vex