exasperated sigh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exasperated sigh" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate a sign of intense frustration or exhaustion. For example, "She rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh at the seemingly never-ending pile of paperwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

He breathed an exasperated sigh.

The New York Times

LURIE (exasperated sigh; hangs up).

The New Yorker

He lets out an exasperated sigh.

The Guardian - Music

No big deal, right?" Elizabeth gave an exasperated sigh.

The New Yorker

"Go watch some Columbo reruns," he would say, with an exasperated sigh.

The New York Times

"That's what they call me," he said with a slightly exasperated sigh.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

What do you have to say about that, huh? and; 4) A sort of "Weeeeurgh" noise, then three or four exasperated sighs, then another "Weeeeurgh" noise.

The Guardian

But other Egyptians reacted to the decision with exasperated sighs, seeing a parable of the country's fitful progress in its struggle to break free of its autocratic past.

The New York Times

She has always loved us for our boring, reserved personalities unconditionally, and we – with all our eyerolls and exasperated sighs around the Christmas tree – love her unconditionally as well.

The Guardian - Opinion

"She's like Willie Mays -- you always know when she's on the field," the New York Times critic Vincent Canby said to me, with wry respect, as we emerged from a screening in the '70s at which Kael's exasperated sighs and not-so-sotto-voce wisecracks had been particularly distracting.

The New York Times

And before the rolled eyes or exasperated sighs of "we can't be surprised young people are obsessed with sex", let us pause to consider how it might feel to know that five of your colleagues in the office have circulated a picture of your breasts or a dick pic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exasperated sigh" to clearly and concisely convey a character's frustration or weariness in writing. It's more effective than simply stating they are frustrated, offering a vivid, sensory detail.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "exasperated sigh" as a shorthand for frustration. Vary your descriptions with other nonverbal cues like eye rolls, tense shoulders, or sharp intakes of breath to create more nuanced and engaging character portrayals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exasperated sigh" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific type of sigh. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and often used to show intense frustration or exhaustion. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing characters' reactions in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exasperated sigh" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, predominantly found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys feelings of frustration or weariness. While versatile, writers should avoid overuse and consider alternative expressions, such as "frustrated sigh" or "weary sigh", to maintain nuanced character portrayals. It functions to express emotions through physical actions, enhancing the descriptive quality of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frustrated sigh

Replaces "exasperated" with "frustrated", maintaining a similar emotional tone.

weary sigh

Substitutes "exasperated" with "weary", indicating tiredness mixed with frustration.

annoyed sigh

Replaces "exasperated" with "annoyed", highlighting a sense of irritation.

heavy sigh

Focuses on the audibility and weight of the sigh, implying deep emotion.

deep sigh of frustration

Adds "of frustration" to emphasize the emotion behind the sigh.

audible sigh of exasperation

Specifies that the sigh is audible and replaces "sigh" with "exasperation", making it slightly more formal.

sigh of resignation

Indicates acceptance of an unpleasant but inevitable situation.

let out a sigh of exasperation

Adds the verb "let out" to describe the action of sighing.

emit an exasperated sigh

Replaces "sigh" with "emit", making the phrase sound more formal.

express exasperation with a sigh

Rephrases to emphasize the expression of exasperation through a sigh.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "exasperated sigh" in a sentence?

Incorporate "exasperated sigh" to depict a character's internal state outwardly. For instance, "She let out an "exasperated sigh"/s/let+out+an+exasperated+sigh, signaling her mounting impatience with the endless meeting."

What are some alternatives to "exasperated sigh"?

You can use alternatives like "frustrated sigh", "weary sigh", or "annoyed sigh" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What does an "exasperated sigh" typically indicate?

An "exasperated sigh" suggests a feeling of frustration, irritation, or weariness resulting from a situation that is perceived as annoying or hopeless. It’s a nonverbal cue indicating a character's negative emotional state.

Is it appropriate to use "exasperated sigh" in formal writing?

While "exasperated sigh" is generally suitable for most writing contexts, consider the tone and audience. In highly formal or academic writing, more descriptive language might be preferable to convey the same sentiment without being overly emotive.