exasperated 1 of 2

adjective

ig-ˈza-spə-ˌrā-təd How to pronounce exasperated (audio)
Definition of exasperatednext
as in annoyed
subjected to and reacting with irritation overworked, exasperated parents barking at their children over little things

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exasperated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of exasperate
as in irritated
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 exasperated
Adjective
These were voices—complaining, confiding, exasperated, distressed—that had not been heard before, as if the novel were a speaking tube cued to an underground rumble. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 Jack Loder, a clearly exasperated digital content producer for the Giants’ flagship station KNBR, posted a two-minute video on X shortly after the game that singled out Webb for criticism. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Verb
Before Tuesday’s joint practice, Harbaugh was exasperated by the multiple questions asked from Chargers’ reporters about the left guard competition. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026 The result is a fascinating deconstruction of the documentary process, with Pretsell both charmed and exasperated by his mercurial and temperamental subject. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exasperated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exasperated
  1. annoyed
  2. irritated
  3. angry
  4. bothered
  5. upset
  6. bugged
  7. aggravated
  8. persecuted
Adjective
  • None of this means the machine is annoyed, jealous or anxious to please.
    — Puneet Gaur, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Lizzie’s newfound happiness is shattered at the end of the second episode, however, when Abby enters her stepdaughter’s dovecote and beheads every bird inside after growing increasingly annoyed with their cooing during mating season.
    — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of annoyed
Verb
  • The episode confused and irritated the Red Sox, and following Saturday’s win starting pitcher Sonny Gray acknowledged that Alexander’s antics had provided the club with extra motivation.
    — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The comments irritated Ilicali, who took to social media in response.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritated
Adjective
  • To argue that calling them immigrants is technically wrong is like getting angry at people who don’t pronounce Los Feliz the Spanish way.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Sheriff Rick Ramsay said Monday that the father later told detectives that Lopez was angry that prosecutors didn’t offer him any plea deals, so his son planned to leave the country rather than face conviction.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of angry
Verb
  • Still bothered by nagging arm and knee issues, Ohtani batted second behind Betts.
    — Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The rainy conditions also bothered the Cougars, as BYU had multiple low snaps and dropped passes and committed numerous false starts.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of bothered
Adjective
  • Legend has it Michael Jackson asked his security to keep fans away from him at a local dive bar, only to become upset when the locals were all too good at treating him like a normal person.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Ultimately, after he was found out to be a con artist, according to his critics, Minnesota media appears to be more so upset that Jamal was not acting in the Somali community’s best interests.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of upset
Verb
  • And as the team moved into the couple’s guest house on their San Diego rental property, the filmmakers feared that the home was bugged and ordered a device to try to de-bug it, without success.
    — Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The indictment revealed that prosecutors had bugged the Aisenbergs' home for three months after Sabrina's disappearance.
    — Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of bugged
Adjective
  • The court accepted his plea and found Williams guilty of two counts of aggravated endangering a child, according to a news release from the office of the Leavenworth County Attorney.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The driver of the pickup truck, 21-year-old Jesse David Lovato, has since been arrested and is facing charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault, according to the outlets.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggravated
Verb
  • Those governments provide assurances that people won’t be persecuted or tortured, federal attorneys said.
    — Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Also, some immigration cases involve people seeking asylum because they are being persecuted by a foreign government and releasing a person’s full name could be considered sensitive or even dangerous.
    — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of persecuted

Browse Nearby Words

exasperate
exasperated
exasperates
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exasperated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exasperated. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of galore

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All