EXASPERATEDLY Synonyms: 255 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

exasperate 1 of 3

verb (1)

ig-ˈza-spə-ˌrāt

Definition of exasperate

as in to annoy

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exasperated

2 of 3

adjective

ig-ˈza-spə-ˌrā-təd

as in annoyed

subjected to and reacting with irritation overworked, exasperated parents barking at their children over little things

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exasperated

3 of 3

verb (2)

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

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

Verb

We have been puzzled, even exasperated at times, by the Heat’s level of patience with its roster over the past two seasons, particularly last year. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026 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

Adjective

Martinez and Ishibashi play McConaughey and Harrelson’s real-life spouses like easily exasperated sitcom spouses, half disapproving wet blankets and half the only sane people in their respective families. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026 Despite riders growing ever more exasperated with having to race in extreme heat, the Vuelta a España race organizer is adamant that major changes to the cycling calendar will not be contemplated as a solution to combat excessive temperatures. — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 8 Sep. 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 exasperate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exasperate

Verb

And now Snider found himself here, under a bright, blue sky, annoyed as a fireman examined the staples on the side of his head.

— Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
What annoys me is that this whole thing is called Roaring 20th, so why was there not a flapper and Great Gatsby theme?

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of annoy

Verb

Tactics such as ragebait have only added to the fatigue, irritating enthusiasts already frustrated by the relentless churn of slop.

— Amy Francombe, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
Patients may be advised to use gentle, fragrance-free products, keep the area moisturized, and avoid anything that further irritates the skin.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of irritate

Verb

Palo Alto Networks did that after buying [Israeli startup] CyberArk, but why would most companies bother?

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
That woman was truly unbothered, a term tossed around online, but the literal act of not being bothered is impossible for most people beyond the quirkiest, like my onetime neighbor, or maybe Fran Lebowitz.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of bother

Verb

Unfortunately, Delane aggravated a shoulder injury on that play and was unable to return to action in that game, the season opener at Arrowhead.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
The Yankees are also cautious about Judge on a turf field, which could further aggravate the injury.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of aggravate

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 persecute

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
He’s bugged Jay — the two met online and married two years ago before opening their first restaurant last year — to make sure that includes his crispy duck panang curry.

— Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of bug

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“Exasperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exasperate. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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