exasperation

noun

ig-ˌza-spə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce exasperation (audio)
Definition of exasperationnext
1
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation add people who use cell phones inconsiderately to the list of daily exasperations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frustration
the feeling of impatience or anger caused by another's repeated disagreeable acts my rising exasperation with these constant interruptions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of exasperation By the 11th game of the third set, Keys was hitting herself in the head with her racket, taking her cap off and sighing deep breaths that were either meant to steady her or out of exasperation. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026 That in turn has prompted exasperation from some officials and Pacific-watchers at the prospect of another summit overshadowed by rivalry between non-member countries. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 Zilisch’s exasperation reached a boiling point last week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 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 See All Example Sentences for exasperation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exasperation
  1. headache
  2. frustration
  3. annoyance
  4. irritation
  5. thorn
  6. displeasure
  7. nuisance
  8. worry
Noun
  • The usual symptoms include high fever, headache, stiffness and an overall feeling that resembles the flu.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Budget cuts The unrest is adding to a major political headache for the government, which is about to start tough budget negotiations against a backdrop of division and economic turmoil.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of headache
Noun
  • Players slapped each other’s helmets in frustration while angry voices carried from the sideline.
    — D’Joumbarey Moreau, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Rubin acknowledged the union’s frustrations in a response to the no-confidence vote, but said there were no funds available to increase overtime.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • The third season sees Ranma and fiancée Akane have to deal with old annoyances, new dangers, and even more shenanigans.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026
  • While some experts cite the threat of civilian drones being equipped to deliver explosives or chemical or biological agents, authorities and defense executives say the more common risk is annoyance and interruption.
    — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of annoyance
Noun
  • Give yourself a beat before turning a passing irritation into a whole situation.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • And natural gum support from an ecosystem that calms irritation.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of irritation
Noun
  • The Parquet Courts frontman has launched the group Iconic Fugues with a two-pronged track that’s surely relatable to anyone who has a rose and a thorn of the past year.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The shrubs, ranging from deer brush to white thorn shrub, are incredibly good at resprouting, Young said.
    — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of thorn
Noun
  • Grimes isn't the only parent of a child with Musk who has expressed displeasure in their interactions.
    — Kahina Sekkaï, Vanity Fair, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The Republican president took to social media Sunday to express his displeasure with the decision.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of displeasure
Noun
  • For homeowners who have spent decades building equity, failing windows are more than a nuisance.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Legal experts on the other side question the notion that a public nuisance can be defined so broadly to include both the sale of a legal product and the impact on carbon pollution, much of it coming from China and India.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of nuisance
Noun
  • The euro sank to its lowest level against the dollar since May 2025 over Spain’s snap elections added to mounting fiscal and political worries across the region.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Such strong growth is what’s allowed stocks to rally near records despite a long list of worries and challenges.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of worry

Browse Nearby Words

exasperating
exasperation
exasperations
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exasperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exasperation. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All