exasperation

noun

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

Synonyms of exasperation

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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
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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.
Zilisch’s exasperation reached a boiling point last week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 Dorgu ran into players, and Fernandes, throwing his arms around in exasperation at Tielemans’ failure to control the ball, looked a picture of frustration. — Stuart James, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Vain to the point of exasperation, computer genius and hacker Roddy did not have to make an error to be thrown out of MI5 headquarters. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026 The result is a documentary that implicitly honors these incredible doctors, but more acutely leverages their plight to address the numbing exasperation that such an atrocity is designed to instill among otherwise good people. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for exasperation

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Browse Nearby Words

exasperating
exasperation
exauctorate
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Cite this Entry

“Exasperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exasperation. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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
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