state of exasperation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "state of exasperation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a condition or feeling of intense frustration or annoyance. Example: "After dealing with the constant delays and miscommunication, I found myself in a state of exasperation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He was in a state of exasperation owing to numerous atrocities committed by Poles against persons of German race.

Yale University

All of this leaves Brancatelli in a constant state of exasperation.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Since nearly all the characters exist in a state of high exasperation, they tend to speak fast and frantically.

The New York Times

The judge and the prosecutor seemed in a state of permanent exasperation, but the show went on.

The New York Times - Magazine

At a meeting with traditional leaders last month, the governor of the southern state of Edo vented his exasperation over fishy numbers provided by the Nigerian federal government.

Los Angeles Times

After trying a few analytics services to figure out the remaining traffic, the company built its own software out of exasperation," CNET reported, stating that bots were to blame for loading pages and driving up costs.

Forbes

"Why the same year after year?" asked the Rev Richard Coles on Radio 4's An Alternative Christmas, also despairing at the state of seasonal music, though his exasperation lay in the ceaseless renditions of "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful" that come around "as reliably as the winter vomiting bug".

Independent

When she began painting, Deane rendered her flowers in states of despair and exasperation.

Huffington Post

During Mr. Farage's speech the two leaders watched on, with Chancellor Merkel displaying a brief glimpse of exasperation as she endured criticism over the current state of Europe.

Independent

Exasperation with the state of capitalism and corporate greed was manifest at the weekend in cities around the world.

The Guardian

He was a man who could write of his own violent moods, "I go from exasperation to a state of collapse, then I recover and go from prostration to Fury, so that my average state is one of being annoyed".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's reaction to prolonged issues, use "state of exasperation" to show sustained frustration. For example, "After months of delays, the project manager was in a "state of exasperation"."

Common error

Avoid using "state of exasperation" when a milder term like "annoyance" or a stronger term like "rage" is more accurate. "Exasperation" implies a specific mix of frustration and impatience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "state of exasperation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition (e.g., "in a state of exasperation") or as a complement describing someone's condition. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "state of exasperation" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe a condition of intense frustration and annoyance. Ludwig AI confirms this. While relatively rare, its use is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news reporting and academic discussions. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the specific blend of frustration, impatience, and annoyance you intend to convey. Be mindful of other, semantically similar alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of frustration

Highlights the emotion of being prevented from achieving a goal, instead of describing a condition.

condition of annoyance

Emphasizes the feeling of being bothered or irritated, focusing on a general feeling instead of a state.

air of aggravation

Implies an expressed sense of increased difficulty or seriousness, often coupled with annoyance.

pinnacle of frustration

Indicates reaching the highest point of being frustrated, which might involve exasperation.

point of aggravation

Marks a specific instance that causes increased annoyance or difficulty.

moment of irritation

Focuses on a brief instance of annoyance, not necessarily a prolonged state.

height of irritation

Signifies reaching the apex of annoyance, but doesn't necessarily imply an ongoing condition.

bout of vexation

Implies a short period of being annoyed, typically by something minor.

fit of pique

Suggests a sudden burst of offended irritation, implying a more transient and less profound experience.

sense of outrage

Conveys a feeling of strong indignation or shock, implying a stronger emotional response.

FAQs

How can I use "state of exasperation" in a sentence?

You can use "state of exasperation" to describe someone's condition when they're intensely frustrated. Example: "The constant interruptions left him in a "state of exasperation".".

What's a less formal way to say "state of exasperation"?

Less formal alternatives include "really annoyed", "extremely frustrated", or "at the end of my rope", depending on the context and intensity of the feeling.

Is it correct to say "in exasperation" instead of "state of exasperation"?

"In exasperation" usually refers to an action done while feeling exasperated, while "state of exasperation" describes a condition. For example, "He sighed in exasperation" vs. "He was in a "state of exasperation"".

What's the difference between "state of frustration" and "state of exasperation"?

"State of frustration" is a general feeling of being blocked from a goal, while "state of exasperation" implies frustration combined with impatience and annoyance. Exasperation is a more intense and specific emotion than simple frustration. You might be in a "state of frustration", but not necessarily exasperation.