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

On the first, the Napoli star was taken down by multiple defenders inside the box, leaving him again looking in exasperation at referee Ilgiz Tantashev. — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 June 2026

Another dad sometimes paced by the swings, coaching his son’s performance in a permanent state of exasperation. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 19 June 2026

Republicans who signed discharge petitions this Congress describe their moves as a way to air exasperation with their leadership for not putting bills on the floor. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 June 2026

The exasperation crystallized in November 2025. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 11 June 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