exasperated
adjective
Joseph ConradBen BrantleyJ. K. Rowling
Rand Richards Cooper
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Exacerbate vs. Exasperate
Exacerbate is frequently confused with exasperate, and with good reason. Not only do these words resemble one another in spelling and pronunciation, they also at one time held exceedingly similar meanings. Exasperate is today most commonly used as a synonym of annoy, but for several hundred years it also had the meanings “to make more grievous” and “to make harsh or harsher.” Exacerbate is now the more common choice of these two words when one seeks to indicate that something is becoming increasingly bitter, violent, or unpleasant. It comes in part from the Latin word acer, meaning “sharp,” whereas exasperate is from asper, the Latin word for “rough.”
Examples of exasperated in a Sentence
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2025
Kamehameha in turn is reluctant to resort to violence unless presented with overwhelming evidence by an exasperated Ka’iana.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2025
The drama wasn't over after the final vote -- Murkowski appeared exasperated when asked about Paul's criticism over her vote and what deals Alaska might have benefitted from.
—Isabella Murray, ABC News, 1 July 2025
The text, translated from French, is presented partly in comics-style word bubbles, and the illustrations of confused, anxious, and increasingly exasperated animals tell a great story in any language.
—Caroline Carlson
june 30, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for exasperated
Cite this Entry
“Exasperated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exasperated. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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