Exasperation Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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exasperation

[ษชษกหŒzรฆs.pษ™หˆreษช.สƒษ™n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

feeling

A feeling of intense irritation or annoyance.

Synonyms

annoyance, frustration, impatience, irritation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
exasperation

Typically used in situations where someone has been pushed to the limit of their patience after enduring a prolonged period of annoyance or difficulty.

  • After hours of trying to fix the broken car without success, John's exasperation was evident
irritation

Denotes a mild to moderate level of discomfort or anger, often due to repetitive disturbance or minor issues.

  • The constant buzzing of the mosquito was a source of great irritation for everyone in the room
annoyance

A general term for mild to moderate displeasure or irritation at a person, situation, or object.

  • She felt a sense of annoyance when her colleague interrupted her again during the meeting
frustration

Occurs when there is a specific obstacle preventing someone from achieving a goal, often resulting in feelings of helplessness or defeat.

  • Josh's frustration grew as he failed to solve the math problem despite numerous attempts
impatience

Manifests when someone is unable to tolerate delays, obstacles, or the time it takes for something to happen.

  • The children's impatience was clear as they asked repeatedly, 'Are we there yet?' during the long car ride

Examples of usage

  • She rolled her eyes in exasperation.
  • His constant lateness was a source of exasperation for his colleagues.
Context #2 | Noun

action

The act of causing someone to feel intense irritation or annoyance.

Synonyms

annoyance, frustration, irritation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
exasperation

Exasperation is used when someone feels intense irritation or annoyance to the point of being almost overwhelmed. It's stronger than annoyance or irritation.

  • She threw her hands up in exasperation when the computer crashed again.
  • His exasperation was evident as he listened to the same complaint for the third time.
irritation

Irritation is used in situations where someone feels slight anger or discomfort due to a minor, repeated inconvenience. It's similar to annoyance but can also imply discomfort.

  • The constant noise from the construction site caused irritation among the residents.
  • The itchy sweater caused irritation on his skin.
annoyance

Annoyance is used in situations where someone feels slightly irritated or bothered. It's less intense than exasperation.

  • He tapped his fingers on the table in annoyance as he waited for the meeting to start.
  • Her constant humming was a minor annoyance to everyone in the office.
frustration

Frustration is used when someone feels upset or distressed because they can't achieve something they want. It often involves a sense of helplessness.

  • She was filled with frustration when she failed to meet the deadline despite working overtime.
  • His frustration grew as he kept missing the target during practice.

Examples of usage

  • His exasperation with the slow service led him to leave the restaurant without ordering.
  • The constant noise from the construction site caused great exasperation among the residents.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Feeling exasperation can trigger a stress response in the body, increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Chronic exasperation can lead to anxiety and other mental health issues if not managed effectively.

Literature

  • In many novels, characters exhibit exasperation to illustrate their struggles in relationships, emphasizing the emotional stakes.
  • Classic works often use exasperation to build tension, showing how characters cope with situations beyond their control.

Pop Culture

  • Exasperation is a common theme in sitcoms, where characters are often pushed to their limits for comedic effect.
  • In popular media, unexpected events often lead to exasperation, highlighting the frustration of daily life.

Education

  • Students may feel exasperation when facing challenges in learning, leading educators to create supportive environments to help manage these feelings.
  • Teaching techniques include recognizing signs of exasperation in students and providing strategies for coping with academic stress.

Origin of 'exasperation'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'exasperare', meaning 'to make rough or harsh'.
  • It entered the English language in the late 14th century, originally relating to physical roughness before evolving to describe emotional states.

The word 'exasperation' originated from the Latin word 'exasperatio', which means 'irritation'. It has been used in English since the late 16th century to describe the feeling of intense irritation or annoyance. Over the years, 'exasperation' has become a common word in the English language, often used to express frustration or impatience.


See also: exasperated, exasperating, exasperatingly.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,290, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.