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 next

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

Certain statutes explicitly appeal to what’s reasonable—exasperating those who find the standard hopelessly indeterminate. —

Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 PepsiCo has been cutting prices on Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos and Tostitos chips this year to win back customers exasperated by years of price hikes. —

ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026

Adjective

The heart of the book may be her alternately exasperated and loving relationship with her parents, Simmons and fellow artist Carroll Dunham, and her sibling, Cyrus, who drifted away for a time when the fallout from Dunham’s fame became too much. —

Emma Alpern, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026 He was occasionally interrupted—and exasperated—by ice warnings from other ships. —

Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026

Verb

PepsiCo has been cutting prices on Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos and Tostitos chips this year to win back customers exasperated by years of price hikes. —

ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026 Indulging the memory made her cry, which exasperated her. —

Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exasperate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exasperate

Adjective

One of Kate’s regular design clients, Molly is quick to judge and has little patience or filter when annoyed.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 6 May 2026
Sean Kuraly and Andrew Peeke were already annoyed.

— Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 1 May 2026