exasperate

[ig-zas-puh-reyt]

verb (used with object)

exasperated, exasperating 

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

Other Word Forms

• exasperater noun
• exasperatingly adverb
• unexasperating adjective
• exasperation noun
• exasperatedly adverb
• exasperating 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.

Related Words

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