ex·as·per·ate [ ig záspə ràyt ](past and past participleex·as·per·at·ed, present participleex·as·per·at·ing, 3rd person present singularex·as·per·ates)
transitive verb
Definition:
1. make angry: to make somebody very angry or frustrated, often by repeatedly doing something annoying See Synonyms at annoy
(
usually passive
)
Guests were exasperated by their hosts' constant bickering.
2. worsen: to make an unpleasant condition or feeling worse
(
literary
)
[Mid-16th century. < Latin exasperat-, past participle of exasperare "irritate, roughen" < asper "rough"]
