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
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
In at least one instance, a government lawyer who became openly exasperated in court at the lack of information he’d been given from the administration was soon after fired by the Justice Department.
—
Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025
But Democrats, increasingly exasperated over the string of scandals that have rocked the Pentagon under Hegseth, are ramping up their warnings about the risks of his leadership.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
He was exasperated with his lack of success in a tough job market.
—Robin Ryan, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for exasperate
Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025
But Democrats, increasingly exasperated over the string of scandals that have rocked the Pentagon under Hegseth, are ramping up their warnings about the risks of his leadership.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
He was exasperated with his lack of success in a tough job market.
—Robin Ryan, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for exasperate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exasperate
Verb
-
The comedy as a second-class sibling to the drama is a notion that has annoyed the people who make television comedies for years.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
7 June 2025
-
In some cases, that will be obvious: You’ll get annoyed by weird or loud noises and odors, notice your energy bill has skyrocketed, or spot signs of a leak.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who Trump initially tapped to co-lead DOGE, pushed for an expansion of the program as way to attract global talent, irritating immigration hawks in the conservative movement.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
-
Use Insect Repellent to Avoid Bug Bites Stinging, biting, and otherwise irritating bugs are prevalent in summer.—
Sarah Richards,
Verywell Health,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Understandably, the online narrative bothered the director as well.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
-
This is an arrangement that bothers Kagi's founder.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
In 1968 a Jewish Dutch woman named Selma Vos was persecuted to death along with her husband, Cao Richang, an eminent psychologist who had helped found the Institute of Psychology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.—
Nan Z. Da
June 10,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2025
-
Abrego Garcia was subject to a 2019 withholding order by a judge forbidding his removal to El Salvador because of concerns he would be persecuted there.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
The minuscule particles can lead to breathing problems like bronchitis and cause inflammation that aggravates diabetes, heart disease and other health conditions.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
-
The intense confrontation both in the South Korean Parliament and among the public over Yoon's fateful act has aggravated the country's political polarization and shaken South Koreans' confidence in their democracy.—
Se Eun Gong,
NPR,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
Say your mother kept bugging you to change a bad habit.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
-
Next season is when all the little things start to bug me.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exasperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exasperate. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share