Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

exasperate

 - 3 dictionary results

ex⋅as⋅per⋅ate

  [v. ig-zas-puh-reyt; adj. ig-zas-per-it] verb, -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing, adjective
Use exasperate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to irritate or provoke to a high degree; annoy extremely: He was exasperated by the senseless delays.
2. Archaic. to increase the intensity or violence of (disease, pain, feelings, etc.).
–adjective
3. Botany. rough; covered with hard, projecting points, as a leaf.
Origin:
1525–35; < L exasperātus (ptp. of exasperāre to make rough, provoke), equiv. to ex- ex- 1 + asper harsh, rough + -ātus -ate 1

Related forms:
ex⋅as⋅per⋅at⋅ed⋅ly, adverb
ex⋅as⋅per⋅at⋅er, noun
ex⋅as⋅per⋅at⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. incense, anger, vex, inflame, infuriate. See irritate. 2. exacerbate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To exasperate
ex·as·per·ate   (ĭg-zās'pə-rāt')   
tr.v.   ex·as·per·at·ed, ex·as·per·at·ing, ex·as·per·ates

  1. To make very angry or impatient; annoy greatly.

  2. To increase the gravity or intensity of: "a scene . . . that exasperates his rose fever and makes him sneeze" (Samuel Beckett).


[Latin exasperāre, exasperāt- : ex-, intensive pref.; see ex- + asperāre, to make rough (from asper, rough).]
ex·as'per·at'ed·ly adv., ex·as'per·at'er n., ex·as'per·at'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

exasperate 
1534, from L. exasperatus, pp. of exasperare "roughen, irritate," from ex- "thoroughly" + asper "rough."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see exasperate on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way