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 Presuming that one’s home or food will never be good enough for an exceptional host has left many an exceptional host exasperated and resentful that their generosity is never reciprocated. Judith Martin, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2025 Warner, earnest and resilient as Theo, capably dances between being in on the game and exasperated by it. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2025 In addition, the infield never recovered from the season-ending ankle injury to Orlando Cabrera that left a huge void at third base that was further exasperated by Anthony Volpe’s all-around regression at shortstop. Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025 His actions, along with his willingness to launder money from drugs proceeds, is no different than those individuals flooding our streets with illicit and diverted narcotics, exasperating an already addictive and deadly opioid crisis. Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for exasperate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exasperate
Verb
  • Comments about my fast walk annoy me.
    Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Keanu, still annoyed from the veto ceremony, talked to Ava Pearl in the HOH room and called Rachel a liar.
    David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Sulfur dioxide and resulting vog (volcanic smog) can irritate eyes and respiratory systems, particularly in people with asthma and other chronic lung conditions, according to the Hawaii State Department of Health.
    Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Not to mention, fragrances can irritate the skin.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The acting didn’t bother me, but the directing did.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
  • If the odds of winning the lottery are so low, why do people bother playing?
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The safest course would be to force out the Americans, persecute the Sunnis, and then let the Shiite factions bicker forever.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
  • His deportation to El Salvador violated a 2019 court order that protected him from being deported to his home country because of concerns that he’d be persecuted by violent gangs.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But the attacker re-aggravated his hamstring at the club’s training hub in Rush Green.
    Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • What is required is a pullback - on huge deficits, on aggravating international and internal relationships, and on the undermining of historical foundations of the United States.
    John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • His not winning it was considered a failure, and that bugged him.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The characters muse about the extreme likelihood that their apartments have been bugged.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Exasperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exasperate. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on exasperate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!