become exasperated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become exasperated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone is growing increasingly frustrated or annoyed. Example: "After listening to the same complaint for the third time, she began to become exasperated with her colleague's lack of initiative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Mr. Portman's friends say he has started to become exasperated at being labeled by comedians and commentators as boring.

The New York Times

When a pitch was anywhere near the plate, my father would become exasperated if I didn't swing — even if that meant my jumping clear in the air.

The New York Times - Magazine

English television viewers sometimes become exasperated when watching Premier League teams in Europe as commentators assume the whole country wants Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea to win.

The Guardian - Sport

On Thursday, Mr. Cuomo again made it clear that, since the school massacre in Newtown, Conn., and the shooting deaths of two firefighters in Webster, N.Y., last month, he has become exasperated and impatient over the issue of gun violence, and wants the Legislature to act swiftly.

The New York Times

You become exasperated, wondering why the employee has to ask you permission for every tiny detail.

Forbes

"I do become exasperated with developers who come in after paying an inflated price for property in anticipation of getting zoning for a particular type of use," Geissert said.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

When Madrid signed David Beckham, the squad became exasperated, deeply tired of it all.

The Guardian - Sport

He first tried to debate with them, then to laugh at them – "My penis isn't terrorising anyone!" – and finally just became exasperated.

Independent

An argument ensued and our preacher became exasperated, and screamed out to the entire car "Lord, all I know is if that there is another terrorist attack, I'm going to heaven".

The New York Times

The prime minister's former communications boss had been berating the BBC newsdesks so often in the run-up to the war, and during the war, that it became exasperated and failed to deal properly with this one complaint.

The Guardian

The bite of what is characteristically national (let alone regional) is to be found only here and there; one becomes exasperated and insular, hugging one's vices and wanting to look through the draped false roof at the surge of dirty glass above, or to gaze affectionately at the Albert Square statues.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become exasperated" to describe a gradual increase in frustration over time. It's stronger than simply "become annoyed" and suggests a higher level of irritation. For instance: "He began to "become exasperated" with the constant delays."

Common error

While "become exasperated" is acceptable in news and general writing, consider more formal alternatives like "grow weary" or "develop reservations" in academic or business reports to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become exasperated" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a process of transition into a state of frustration or annoyance. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is used to describe a gradual increase in irritation, eventually reaching a point of exasperation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become exasperated" effectively portrays a growing sense of frustration and annoyance. Grammatically sound and commonly used, it appears frequently in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for general writing. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase’s correctness and usability. To enhance your writing, consider using alternatives such as "grow impatient" or "get frustrated" for slight variations in meaning. Avoid overuse in highly formal contexts, opting for alternatives like "grow weary". This detailed analysis helps you use "become exasperated" with precision and confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get frustrated

A more general term indicating the start of frustration, without necessarily implying exasperation.

become fed up

Indicates a feeling of being tired and bored of something, often implying a desire for change.

become annoyed

Suggests a milder form of irritation, lacking the intensity of exasperation.

get irritated

Similar to "become annoyed", but can sometimes imply a slightly sharper reaction.

grow impatient

Focuses more on the dwindling of patience rather than the building of frustration.

run out of patience

Similar to "lose patience", highlighting the exhaustion of patience.

lose patience

Implies a complete depletion of patience, often suggesting a more sudden loss.

grow weary

Emphasizes a sense of tiredness and resignation in addition to frustration.

reach the end of one's rope

An idiomatic expression indicating a limit of endurance has been reached.

reach a breaking point

Implies extreme stress and an inability to cope any further.

FAQs

How to use "become exasperated" in a sentence?

You can use "become exasperated" to describe a situation where someone is growing increasingly frustrated. For example, "The teacher "became exasperated" with the students' constant disruptions."

What can I say instead of "become exasperated"?

You can use alternatives like "grow impatient", "get frustrated", or "become annoyed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "became exasperated" or "become exasperated"?

"Became exasperated" is the past tense form, while "become exasperated" is the present tense or infinitive form. Use the appropriate tense based on the context of your sentence. For example, "He "became exasperated" yesterday" versus "They often "become exasperated" when dealing with bureaucracy."

What's the difference between "become frustrated" and "become exasperated"?

"Become frustrated" is a more general term indicating the start of frustration, while "become exasperated" implies a higher level of annoyance and a sense of being overwhelmed by the situation. It suggests a more intense emotional reaction.