1
Core action
Irritate, frustrate, or annoy someone intensely.
Example
Repeated cancellations exasperated commuters.
exasperate
/ɪɡˈzæspəreɪt/ · ig-ZAS-puh-raytverb
Irritate, frustrate, or annoy someone intensely.
Use exasperate to express this relationship precisely: irritate, frustrate, or annoy someone intensely.
What exasperate Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
The vague answer exasperated the investigators.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
Her calm questions clarified rather than exasperated.
Use exasperate Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Repeated cancellations exasperated commuters.
The vague answer exasperated the investigators.
Her calm questions clarified rather than exasperated.
Precision Matters
Exasperate overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
exasperate
vs.Means irritate, frustrate, or annoy someone intensely.
assuage
Means make an unpleasant feeling, fear, pain, or concern less intense; soothe or relieve it.
exasperate
vs.Means irritate, frustrate, or annoy someone intensely.
conciliate
Means reduce hostility, win goodwill, or restore friendly relations with an angry or opposing person or group.
exasperate
vs.Means irritate, frustrate, or annoy someone intensely.
commend
Means praise or express approval of someone or something, especially for a worthy action or quality.
exasperate
vs.Means irritate, frustrate, or annoy someone intensely.
antagonize
Means provoke hostility in someone or make that person become opposed or unfriendly.
Test exasperate in Context
The repeated delay causes intense irritation and frustration.
1
The agency's fifth unexplained delay is likely to ___ residents who have waited for months.