WordValeexasperated
intensely irritated and frustrated
In more detail
1. (adjective) feeling or showing annoyance and impatience, especially because someone has done something repeatedly that bothers you
2. (adjective) made worse or more severe
Examples
- 1. She gave an exasperated sigh after the child asked the same question for the tenth time.
- 2. The exasperated situation required immediate attention from the government.
How to use exasperated
Exasperated describes a heightened state of annoyance, typically resulting from repeated provocation or frustration rather than a single incident. It emphasizes both emotional irritation and visible signs of impatience (sighs, tone, expression). The second sense (meaning worsened or aggravated) is less common in everyday use but appears in formal contexts.
Common phrases
- exasperated sigh
- exasperated tone
- exasperated look
- grow exasperated
- exasperated with
Synonyms
irritated · annoyed · impatient · frustrated · vexed
Opposites
pleased · calm · patient
Word family
exasperate (verb) · exasperation (noun) · exasperatingly (adverb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse exasperated with exasperate, or use 'exasperated at' when 'exasperated with' is more natural when referring to people.
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