Exasperate
“To intensely irritate or provoke someone to the point of losing their patience.”
Synonyms by Register & Formality
Nuance Analysis & Word Contrasts
Exasperate implies a cumulative effect; it is rarely the result of a single minor annoyance but rather the breaking point reached after repeated or persistent provocation. While 'irritate' suggests a mild, fleeting annoyance, 'exasperate' carries a sense of exhaustion and the depletion of one's capacity for tolerance. It is more active and intense than 'vex' but less explosive than 'infuriate'.
exasperate vs irritate
Irritate is a general state of annoyance, whereas exasperate implies a higher degree of intensity that pushes the subject toward a loss of composure.
exasperate vs exacerbate
Exacerbate means to make a situation or condition worse, while exasperate refers specifically to the emotional state of a person being provoked.