EXASPERATE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does exasperate mean? 

• EXASPERATE (verb)
  The verb EXASPERATE has 3 senses:

1. exasperate or irritate

2. make furious

3. make worse

  Familiarity information: EXASPERATE used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EXASPERATE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they exasperate    ... he / she / it exasperates   
Past simple: exasperated   
Past participle: exasperated   
-ing form: exasperating   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Exasperate or irritate

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Synonyms:

aggravate; exacerbate; exasperate

Hypernyms (to "exasperate" is one way to...):

anger (make angry)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sentence example:

The bad news will exasperate him

Derivation:

exasperation (actions that cause great irritation (or even anger))

exasperation (an exasperated feeling of annoyance)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make furious

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Synonyms:

exasperate; incense; infuriate

Hypernyms (to "exasperate" is one way to...):

anger (make angry)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Derivation:

exasperation (actions that cause great irritation (or even anger))

exasperation (an exasperated feeling of annoyance)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Make worse

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

aggravate; exacerbate; exasperate; worsen

Context example:

This drug aggravates the pain

Hypernyms (to "exasperate" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "exasperate"):

irritate (excite to an abnormal condition, or chafe or inflame)

inflame (cause inflammation in)

cheapen; degrade (lower the grade of something; reduce its worth)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

 Context examples 

“No. I was a young boy, and she exasperated me, and I threw a hammer at her. A promising young angel I must have been!”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Amy spoke bitterly, and turned her back on the exasperating martyr at her feet.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

During my absence I should leave my friends unconscious of the existence of their enemy and unprotected from his attacks, exasperated as he might be by my departure.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

When they were gone, Elizabeth, as if intending to exasperate herself as much as possible against Mr. Darcy, chose for her employment the examination of all the letters which Jane had written to her since her being in Kent. They contained no actual complaint, nor was there any revival of past occurrences, or any communication of present suffering.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

You must excuse me, indeed you must excuse me, cried Fanny, growing more and more red from excessive agitation, and looking distressfully at Edmund, who was kindly observing her; but unwilling to exasperate his brother by interference, gave her only an encouraging smile.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

On Monday morning the weather was in that undecided state which is more exasperating than a steady pour.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Begone! I am firm, and your words will only exasperate my rage.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

My aunt was so exasperated by the coolness with which Miss Murdstone looked about her, that I really believe she was motionless, and unable for the moment to dart out according to custom.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Such a circumstance could only exasperate farther, and, when he ceased, the colour rose into her cheeks, and she said: In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the established mode to express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed, however unequally they may be returned.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Amy was much offended that her overtures of peace had been repulsed, and began to wish she had not humbled herself, to feel more injured than ever, and to plume herself on her superior virtue in a way which was particularly exasperating.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)