Main Entry:

¹ex·as·per·ate

Pronunciation:

\ig-ˈzas-pə-ˌrāt\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

ex·as·per·at·ed; ex·as·per·at·ing

Etymology:

Latin exasperatus, past participle of exasperare, from ex- + asper rough — more at asperity

Date:

1534

1 a: to excite the anger of : enrage b: to cause irritation or annoyance to2obsolete : to make more grievous : aggravate

synonyms see irritate

— ex·as·per·at·ed·ly adverb

— ex·as·per·at·ing·ly \-ˌrā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb