Synonym Chooser

How is the word exasperate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of exasperate are irritate, nettle, peeve, provoke, and rile. While all these words mean "to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance," exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience.

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

When might irritate be a better fit than exasperate?

While in some cases nearly identical to exasperate, irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage.

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

When can nettle be used instead of exasperate?

In some situations, the words nettle and exasperate are roughly equivalent. However, nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging.

your pompous attitude nettled several people

When is it sensible to use peeve instead of exasperate?

The meanings of peeve and exasperate largely overlap; however, peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation.

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

In what contexts can provoke take the place of exasperate?

Although the words provoke and exasperate have much in common, provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action.

remarks made solely to provoke her

When is rile a more appropriate choice than exasperate?

The words rile and exasperate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation.

the new work schedules riled the employees

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 exasperate For those who don't struggle with time blindness, Sarkis said, getting frustrated and exasperated with someone who does won't solve the problem. Charles Trepany, USA Today, 30 June 2025 The park’s offensive tendencies, combined with the way players wear down at altitude, might exasperate even the most brilliant baseball minds. Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 8 July 2025 No doubt they’re exasperated by what’s going on and eager to find solutions. Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025 However, people are constantly bombarded by social media ads, marketing emails and website pop-ups, almost exasperating them. Nitin Gupta, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for exasperate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exasperate
Verb
  • Bankrate also recently released a survey showing that 38% are annoyed by pre-entered tip screens at coffee shops, food trucks, etc.
    Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • At the array's center is a 118-dB speaker unit and a 9cc sound cavity to annoy fellow travelers with your excellent taste in music or be a useful audio beacon in emergencies.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • As Venus irritates Pluto, exploring an office entanglement might not be a good idea!
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025
  • In fact, vitamin C, chemical exfoliants (like glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid), and retinol shouldn’t be used together all at once, since this combination can irritate and inflame the skin (including your existing hyperpigmentation).
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • If a body is here, whoever buried it didn’t bother digging deep, because there’s no fear of getting caught.
    Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The article includes a fancy-looking formula central to the algorithm, but the formula is nearly impossible to decipher since the authors didn’t bother to explain half the symbols in it.
    Noah Giansiracusa, Time, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In late-night filings Thursday, the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office pushed back on recent framing by Combs’ lawyers portraying him as persecuted.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Open Doors is a global Christian charity which supports and speaks up for Christians persecuted for their faith.
    Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Ball faces charges of indecent assault, aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors, indecent exposure and unlawful contact with a minor, police said.
    Sean Neumann, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Following a two-day trial in Leavenworth County District Court, the jury found Liberti N. Figueroa guilty on Tuesday of two counts of aggravated endangering a child.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The characters muse about the extreme likelihood that their apartments have been bugged.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2025
  • That question also bugs the folks at The Utility Reform Network.
    Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 31 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exasperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exasperate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

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