exasperated
UK: ɪɡˈzɑːspəreɪtɪd | US: ɪɡˈzæspəreɪtɪd
adj. feeling or expressing intense irritation or frustration
vt. (past tense of exasperate) to provoke extreme annoyance or anger in someone
exasperated = ex<out, thoroughly> + asper<rough> + ated<adjective suffix>
- ex: From Latin ex- ("out, thoroughly"), intensifying the root.
- asper: From Latin asper ("rough, harsh"), conveying irritation or difficulty.
- ated: Suffix forming adjectives or past participles, indicating a state or result.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin exasperare ("to make rough, provoke"), combining ex- (thoroughly) + asper (roughness). It originally described physical roughness (e.g., rough surfaces) but evolved metaphorically to mean emotional agitation. By the 1600s, it solidified in English as describing provoked frustration.
She gave an exasperated sigh after repeating the instructions three times.
The teacher grew exasperated with the students’ constant interruptions.
His exasperated tone revealed his dwindling patience.
Traffic jams leave commuters feeling exasperated.
"Why won’t you listen?" he asked, exasperated.