EXASPERATINGLY Synonyms: 240 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

exasperating

2 of 3

adjective

ig-ˈza-spə-ˌrā-tiŋ

as in frustrating

causing annoyance those exasperating details that come with almost any job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exasperating

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of exasperate

as in annoying

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

The Dignity Act faces an onslaught of criticism from the right that is leaving some of its Republican backers exasperated. —

Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 22 Apr. 2026 Certain statutes explicitly appeal to what’s reasonable—exasperating those who find the standard hopelessly indeterminate. —

Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

Adjective

As was the overall result for a confounding team (23-10) that essentially has been equal parts exhilarating and exasperating. —

Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2026 The process to get the story on the air has been exasperating. —

Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 18 Jan. 2026

Verb

As a City Council member, Raman, whose previous campaigns were backed by Democratic Socialists of America Los Angeles, has sometimes walked a political tightrope, exasperating her progressive base on issues like policing. —

Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026 Arne Slot has increasingly been exasperating Liverpool supporters by being — in typical Dutch style — too honest. —

Michael Cox, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exasperate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exasperate

Verb

That’s what so annoys Erika at some point.

— Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 18 May 2026
But if creases annoy you, look elsewhere.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 May 2026