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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in frustrating
causing annoyance
those exasperating details that come with almost any job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Rob Tanner, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Many of us have had a moment or 20 where we’ve been exasperated at others’ inability to keep up with our train of thought.
—Sarah Kurchak, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
The lack of open discussion about the use of AI during this early adaptation phase of the technology was something each panelist felt was only exasperating problems.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exasperate
Verb
Those who are exasperated about the decline of their club want more direct action for change, more protest and insurrection.
—Rob Tanner, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Many of us have had a moment or 20 where we’ve been exasperated at others’ inability to keep up with our train of thought.
—Sarah Kurchak, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
And the less said about the didactic, exasperating finale, the better.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
The lack of open discussion about the use of AI during this early adaptation phase of the technology was something each panelist felt was only exasperating problems.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exasperate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exasperate
Adjective
-
The New York Mets scored three runs in the seventh to snap a 1-1 tie en route to a 5-1 win over the Red Sox on a frustrating night.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
Both English teams have been experiencing frustrating, parallel worlds as the pair have struggled mightily in the Premier League.—
David Close,
CNN Money,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
But if Hereditary and Midsommar got under the skin with genuinely scary storytelling and startling imagery and Beau is Afraid was equal parts squirmy and maddening, Eddington is just annoying and empty.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2025
-
The narcissistic parent might also guilt trip the child for expressing their feelings, thoughts, or needs—accusing them of being too demanding or overwhelming, annoying, or stressing them out, even when a child clearly needs help or comfort.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
For some people, double cleansing may be too irritating.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
15 May 2025
-
Not just the threat-of-extinction stuff, which includes Bassett’s POTUS debating which American city to blow up as a preemptive gesture, but by its own irritating God’s-eye omniscience that rarely allows the suspense to spool out in the present.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
Nothing has officially happened yet, but the tension is disturbing with the consequences potentially devastating.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 May 2025
-
That’s a quite disturbing possibility since AGI could wield such an act on a scale of immense magnitude and with globally adverse consequences.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exasperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exasperate. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share