exasperation

noun

ex·​as·​per·​a·​tion ig-ˌza-spə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the state of being exasperated

2

: the act or an instance of exasperating someone

Synonyms

• aggravation
• aggro [British]
• annoyance
• bother
• botheration
• bugbear
• frustration
• hair shirt
• hassle
• headache
• inconvenience
• irk
• irritant
• nuisance
• peeve
• pest
• rub
• ruffle
• thorn
• trial
• vexation

Examples of exasperation in a Sentence

They had all experienced the exasperation and frustration of holiday shopping.

add people who use cell phones inconsiderately to the list of daily exasperations

Recent Examples on the Web

And after years of calling for change, there’s a growing sense of exasperation among those on the front lines. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024

The host plays the reality of not understanding why a publisher wouldn’t want math problems built around 69-ing with just the right amount of exasperation. —Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2024

Sinking her teeth into Mother the way Mother herself might a bloody steak, Adams courageously embodies Mother’s exasperation, finding the comedy in every setback. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Sep. 2024

Stewart yelled, repeatedly hitting his desk with a stack of papers before throwing his hands up in the air in exasperation. —Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

exasperation

noun

ex·​as·​per·​a·​tion ig-ˌzas-pə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: extreme annoyance : anger

2

: a source of annoyance