exasperate
Americanverb (used with object)
adjective
verb
-
to cause great irritation or anger to; infuriate
-
to cause (an unpleasant feeling, condition, etc) to worsen; aggravate
adjective
Related Words
See irritate.
Other Word Forms
- exasperatedly adverb
- exasperater noun
- exasperating adjective
- exasperatingly adverb
- exasperation noun
- unexasperating adjective
Etymology
Origin of exasperate
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
Compare meaning
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To further exasperate the lingering injury bug, Reaves left the game after the first half because of left calf soreness.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 26, 2025
The issues exasperate many of the remaining businesses.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 23, 2024
The past-and-present double investigations that ensue — and, of course, eventually come together — are not airtight; the characters, especially Sarah, are prone to the kind of head-scratching decisions that exasperate the true mystery fan.
From New York Times • Jan. 17, 2023
However, quite how the hosts did not manage to win will mystify and exasperate the new man at the helm.
From BBC • Oct. 18, 2022
Such a circumstance could only exasperate farther, and, when he ceased, the colour rose into her cheeks, and she said:
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
