exasperation

noun

ex·​as·​per·​a·​tion ig-ˌza-spə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce exasperation (audio)
1
: the state of being exasperated
2
: the act or an instance of exasperating someone

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
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.
The car is filled with tension, with Basel’s frustration and Yuval’s exasperation. Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025 But only Pereira and those inside the club will have a clear idea of the extent to which that version of the player has already been lost to them or whether he can be coaxed back to his best following the frustration and exasperation that took hold at Chelsea. Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 And the exasperation goes from imaginary frustration to real annoyance. Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024 The former Modern Family star couldn't help but playfully express her exasperation with Foster being named the winner of Best Female Actor in a Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Television Film for her role in True Detective: Night Country. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exasperation

Word History

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exasperation was in 1547

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Cite this Entry

“Exasperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exasperation. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

exasperation

noun
ex·​as·​per·​a·​tion ig-ˌzas-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce exasperation (audio)
1
: extreme annoyance : anger
2
: a source of annoyance

More from Merriam-Webster on exasperation

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