EX-ASPERATING Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

exasperating 1 of 2

adjective

ig-ˈza-spə-ˌrā-tiŋ

Definition of exasperating

as in frustrating

causing annoyance those exasperating details that come with almost any job

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exasperating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of exasperate

as in annoying

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts small children can exasperate their parents with endless questions about why this or that is so

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of exasperating

Adjective

With the Angels, Mozeliak not only must overcome a losing culture, but also navigate a relationship with Moreno, a challenge his predecessors found exasperating. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 30 June 2026 What followed was often exhilarating and, from around season three onward, often just as exasperating. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 June 2026

Verb

As a City Council member, Raman, whose previous campaigns were backed by Democratic Socialists of America Los Angeles, has sometimes walked a political tightrope, exasperating her progressive base on issues like policing. — Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026 Arne Slot has increasingly been exasperating Liverpool supporters by being — in typical Dutch style — too honest. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exasperating

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exasperating

Adjective

The result can be a frustrating cycle in which borrowers repeatedly pay down balances only to rebuild them when another expense arises.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
And the amount that show business and comedy have changed — the strikes and mergers and COVID and the rest of it — has been really frustrating.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of frustrating

Verb

That unexpected fandom has grown over the past two years, with unlikely converts taking to the internet’s alleyways to spread the good word—and, in the process, annoying the doubters.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Kids in all three countries loved learning dances from TikTok and annoying their siblings.

— Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of annoying

Adjective

Mature skin should be treated with a mild, non-irritating cleanser that won’t strip the skin of its natural oils or irritate dry and sensitive types.

— Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
The cold temperature will slow down the enzymes and ease the irritating effects.

— Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of irritating

Verb

His work is autobiographical and based on whatever has been bothering him that year.

— Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
For example, companies that benefit from customers not bothering to cancel subscriptions, compare prices, or search for better deals have taken a beating in recent weeks.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of bothering

Adjective

One of the most disturbing reasons given was that the DOT will never install a speed reducer closer than a distance of 1,000 feet (nearly a quarter of a mile) from a speed camera.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026
Family members reported objects disappearing, beds lifting, unexplained odors, and other disturbing occurrences in the house.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of disturbing

Verb

The Department of Justice’s prosecution of a Saudi national for allegedly bugging an OpenAI conference room is causing anxiety among OpenAI employees, many of whom are foreign nationals.

— Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
On Monday, a court granted the US government’s request to deny release of a former OpenAI engineer accused of bugging a top-secret conference room to steal the frontier lab’s secrets.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of bugging

Verb

Biden weaponized Law Enforcement against his political opponent, while also persecuting many other innocent people.

— New York Times, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Jack Hayford, the founder of the King’s University, in Texas, claimed that the film was persecuting Christians, who only wanted to be treated equally.

— Isaac Butler, New Yorker, 30 May 2026

Definition of persecuting

Verb

And those are things that end up aggravating behavioral health disabilities.

— Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
With Williams dealing with an injury that’s always tricky for players in this league, there’s no reason to rush him back and risk aggravating it again.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of aggravating

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exasperates

exasperating

exasperation

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“Exasperating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exasperating. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of exasperating

adjective

verb

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