as in frustrating
causing annoyance
those exasperating details that come with almost any job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 exasperating
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
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
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 exasperating
Adjective
Some of the gags are inspired, some are exasperating, none of them are presented in a way that suggests the filmmakers know the difference, and all of them are shoved down your throat until they’re diminished enough to swallow.
—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
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
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 exasperating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exasperating
Adjective
-
Two months after another frustrating playoff finish, the 76ers now look ahead with a reasonable expectation to be among the conference favorites next season.
-
Residents said the latest delay is especially frustrating because the pool also remained closed for much of last summer after a water line ruptured while it was being filled.
Verb
-
Weird; annoying even – but the floaters did not seem urgent.
-
My biggest concern about adding a tracking device around Mya’s neck was annoying her or creating disruption.
Adjective
-
Few workplace behaviors are as small, common and irritating as the message that goes unanswered.
-
Greenberg tried his best to ignore an irritating ankle injury that had plagued him the last couple of weeks and grimaced under the hazy sunlight as the pitcher, probably 20 or more years his junior, stared him down.
Verb
-
That shift may help explain why some couples notice their partner’s scent bothering them more during periods of conflict.
-
The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.
Adjective
-
There were many disturbing parts of Kerstin’s story left unpursued.
-
The film is a modern take on the creature horror film told from the perspective of a young boy who slowly begins to discover that his beloved parents are hiding a disturbing secret about his mother’s true nature.
Verb
-
The necessity of the trip at all is what's been bugging me.
-
His doctor had been bugging him for years to get a colonoscopy because of his age, but Driggers declined.
Verb
-
Biden weaponized Law Enforcement against his political opponent, while also persecuting many other innocent people.
-
Jack Hayford, the founder of the King’s University, in Texas, claimed that the film was persecuting Christians, who only wanted to be treated equally.
Verb
-
The fans who decide to follow their country to a glorious or bitter end, irrespective of the cost or the risk of aggravating employers?
-
On direct appeal, the Florida Supreme Court vacated the death sentence and remanded the case for reconsideration over the trial court's handling of aggravating and mitigating factors in the case.
Cite this Entry
“Exasperating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exasperating. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
