exasperated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "exasperated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express feeling of extreme annoyance, frustration, or impatience, often due to the repeated perpetuation of an unpleasant situation. Example sentence: The teacher was exasperated when the students kept interrupting her lecture.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Photos of the sisters casting exasperated looks at one another as their father spoke sparked mostly playful comments on social media and from some media outlets.

The Guardian

Senior editors at Wikipedia became exasperated by this anonymous amending with one responding on 20 July 2013 by saying: "Dear Grant Shapps, clearly your and your supporter's dodgy behaviour knows no bounds".

The Guardian

Yet what struck me in Carr's session was how relaxed and trained he is – as opposed to the agitated and passionate speeches of the authors in the earlier session: Tsiolkas speaking forcefully and almost exasperated at his own lack of answers, Wright gentle and meandering but sharp in her criticism.

The Guardian - Books

That is why the party faithful loved Thatcher as they do not love David Cameron ("does he actually believe in anything?" they ask each other), but also why cabinet colleagues with a broader world view of capitalism, Europe or the working class became so exasperated.

The Guardian

During this past tour, I am embarrassed to admit that I have had more than one prolonged toilet cry and a "Come on, get a hold of yourself, you got this" conversation with myself in a bathroom mirror when particularly exasperated and tired out.

The Guardian - Music

Broaching the subject with new Oxford students has provoked an almost universal choreography of dismissive jerks and sighs, rolling of eyes, and exasperated tutting.

The Guardian

Exasperated with this state of affairs, a group of community activists, including architects of the Zuloark collective, cut through the fence and immediately began recuperating the site for citizen use.

The Guardian

Yet despite taking Villa to the Premier League summit in three of his four seasons in charge, there was no silverware and Gregory resigned in January 2002 after becoming exasperated with Doug Ellis, the chairman at the time, for refusing to sanction the signing of Muzzy Izzet several months earlier.

The Guardian - Sport

Within the party, many Lib Dems are exasperated with how the fees issue has been handled.

The Guardian

In walking back the very legislation he had signed, the morning after Cook's op-ed appeared in the Washington Post and the day his local paper ran a front page editorial emblazoned with the words FIX THIS NOW, the Indiana governor looked exasperated.

The Guardian

Under Paddy Ashdown's leadership, Kennedy held various portfolios, even if he occasionally exasperated the hyperactive Ashdown with his determined lack of application.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exasperated" to accurately convey a sense of frustration mixed with being overwhelmed or worn out by a situation or person. It's stronger than 'annoyed' but not as intense as 'furious'.

Common error

Avoid using "exasperated" when a milder term like 'annoyed' or a stronger term like 'infuriated' more precisely captures the emotion. "Exasperated" sits in a specific range of frustration and weariness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "exasperated" is as an adjective or a verb in the past participle form. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it describes a state of being greatly annoyed or made furious.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "exasperated" effectively communicates a blend of frustration, annoyance, and weariness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this word is grammatically sound and frequently used. It functions primarily as an adjective or past participle, describing a state of being annoyed. This analysis, supported by a wealth of examples from sources like The Guardian and The Economist, reveals that "exasperated" finds its most common usage in News & Media. When writing, ensure "exasperated" accurately captures the intended intensity of emotion. For alternative phrasing, consider words like "frustrated" or "annoyed", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fed up

Expresses a sense of weariness and discontent, similar to "exasperated".

annoyed

Implies a milder form of irritation compared to "exasperated".

irritated

Similar to annoyed, but can also refer to a physical sensation.

frustrated

Focuses more on the feeling of being blocked or hindered, whereas "exasperated" emphasizes the feeling of being worn out.

aggravated

Implies that something is made worse or more intense, aligning with one definition of "exasperated".

infuriated

Indicates a higher degree of anger and rage than "exasperated".

disgruntled

Focuses on dissatisfaction and resentment, which can be components of being "exasperated".

irate

Suggests a state of great anger, more intense than simply being "exasperated".

vexed

A more formal term for being annoyed or worried, akin to "exasperated".

weary

Highlights the tired and worn-out aspect of being "exasperated".

FAQs

How can I use "exasperated" in a sentence?

You can use "exasperated" to describe someone's feelings when they are frustrated and annoyed. For example, "The teacher was "exasperated" by the students' constant chatter."

What's a less intense synonym for "exasperated"?

A less intense synonym for "exasperated" is "annoyed". It conveys a milder sense of irritation without the implication of being completely worn out.

What can I say instead of "exasperated" in a formal context?

In a formal context, consider using "frustrated" or "disappointed". These options maintain a professional tone while still expressing negative sentiment.

What's the difference between "exasperated" and "angry"?

"Exasperated" implies a mix of frustration and weariness, often after repeated annoyances. "Angry" is a more general term that indicates strong displeasure or rage without the specific context of prolonged frustration.