exasperation

noun

ex·​as·​per·​a·​tion ig-ˌza-spə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the state of being exasperated

2

: the act or an instance of exasperating someone

Synonyms of exasperation

• headache
• frustration
• annoyance
• thorn
• nuisance
• worry

Examples of exasperation in a Sentence

They had all experienced the exasperation and frustration of holiday shopping.

add people who use cell phones inconsiderately to the list of daily exasperations

Recent Examples on the Web

Their frustration comes near the end of a months-long ticketing process that has elicited outrage and exasperation among fans across North America and around the world. —Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 3 June 2026

Sitting inside Taqueria Hoy’s Orange location on a spring morning, De Anda, better known to family and regulars as Don Rafa and his sons, Raphael and Christian, talked about their 24-hour restaurants the way people talk about a family member, with affection, exasperation and pride. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 3 June 2026

This paralysis tends to provoke exasperation in others and sometimes even shame in the person experiencing it. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026

Her remarks were met with groans, loud exhaling and other audible exasperation from a court gallery filled with victims and their families. —Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for exasperation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

exasperation

noun

ex·​as·​per·​a·​tion ig-ˌzas-pə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: extreme annoyance : anger

2

: a source of annoyance