exasperate
To irritate someone intensely or frustrate them greatly
Examples
In a meeting
“His refusal to follow the process exasperates the entire quality team.”
Over coffee
“It exasperates me when she's late for every single dinner.”
Why this word
annoy
Exasperate implies intense frustration to the point of losing patience, while annoy is milder irritation
frustrate
Exasperate emphasizes wearing down patience through repeated provocation, while frustrate focuses on blocking goals
anger
Exasperate specifically means to irritate intensely over time, while anger is broader provocation to rage
Usage tip
Use when describing intense, often repeated frustration. Stronger than 'annoy'—implies patience is wearing thin.
Etymology
Latin 'exasperare' from 'ex-' (thoroughly) + 'asper' (rough, harsh)
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