looking exasperated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking exasperated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who appears frustrated or annoyed, often in response to a situation or another person's behavior. Example: "After hearing the same question for the third time, she was looking exasperated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He grabbed a chair and sat down, looking exasperated.

The New Yorker

I am the truth bomb.' " Then he laughed, looking exasperated with himself.

The New York Times

But there were the Yankees, once proud and mighty, looking exasperated and discussing their embarrassment.

The New York Times - Sports

After a back-and-forth, Mr. Santorum, looking exasperated, said, "You don't know what you're talking about".

The New York Times

She spent most of those contests looking exasperated, unable to establish control on her serve or to grab command of the matches.

The New York Times - Sports

When I went the other night, two people who'd apparently been fans of that restaurant were walking out the door looking exasperated, and they were muttering: "It's some totally different place now.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He looked exasperated, which is how the Yankees felt, too.

The New York Times - Sports

The ancillary faces add to the reconditioned feel: Harry Lennix, the hangdog handler from Dollhouse, is cast as yet another suited authority figure who has little to do except look exasperated as Red pre-empts and out-smarms his every move.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In my early twenties, a wonderful boss I had at a very well-respected international organization once looked exasperated when I half-jokingly asked him, at the end of my contract, what I had to do in the future to be a more "grown up" professional.

Huffington Post

"He was playing really well," the Swiss said, looking more exasperated than weary afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

Have two men back for the hook, and bowl short every ball.' This I did for three overs or so, by which time Viv was looking a little exasperated, but was definitely on the back foot.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking exasperated" to vividly depict a character's internal state, adding depth to your narrative or description. It's more expressive than simply saying someone is "annoyed" or "frustrated".

Common error

While effective, overuse of "looking exasperated" can become repetitive. Vary your descriptions by using synonyms or focusing on specific physical cues like a sigh, eye roll, or tense posture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking exasperated" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe the subject's appearance. It is used to indicate that someone has an expression of frustration or annoyance on their face. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Sports

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking exasperated" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe someone's frustrated or annoyed appearance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It fits well in news reporting, sports commentary, and general storytelling, adding depth to character descriptions. To avoid repetition, consider synonyms like "appearing frustrated" or "seeming annoyed". The phrase holds a neutral register, and appears most frequently in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appearing frustrated

Focuses on the observed emotion rather than the specific manifestation of exasperation.

looking fed up

Emphasizes a sense of being tired and impatient with a situation.

looking irritated

Similar to annoyed, but suggests a slightly more visible display of displeasure.

looking impatient

Highlights the restlessness and eagerness for a situation to change.

seeming annoyed

A milder expression, indicating a lesser degree of irritation than exasperation.

looking disgruntled

Suggests a feeling of unhappiness and dissatisfaction.

looking weary

Implies a tiredness stemming from dealing with something frustrating.

looking put-out

Indicates a feeling of inconvenience or annoyance.

looking vexed

A more formal term for being annoyed or worried.

appearing agitated

Highlights a state of visible restlessness or anxiety, potentially linked to exasperation.

FAQs

How can I use "looking exasperated" in a sentence?

You can use "looking exasperated" to describe someone's facial expression or demeanor, such as: "After explaining the same thing three times, she was "looking exasperated"."

What can I say instead of "looking exasperated"?

Alternatives include "appearing frustrated", "seeming annoyed", or "looking irritated" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "looking exasperated" or "seeming exasperated"?

Both "looking exasperated" and "seeming exasperated" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on your preferred style and the specific impression you want to create. "Looking" emphasizes visual appearance, while "seeming" focuses on general impression.

What's the difference between "looking exasperated" and "feeling exasperated"?

"Looking exasperated" describes an outward appearance, while "feeling exasperated" describes an internal emotional state. Someone can be "looking exasperated" even if they are not truly feeling it, and vice versa. The expression may or may not reflect the true feeling.