Pronunciation: [ɛɡzˈaspəɹˌe͡ɪt] (IPA) 
The word "exasperate" (ɪɡˈzæs.pə.reɪt) is spelled with an "e" after the "x" to indicate that the "s" sound is pronounced as "z", not "s". This phonetic transcription shows that the stress falls on the second syllable, "zas", with the vowel "a" pronounced as in "cat". The final syllable, "per-ate", is pronounced with a long "a" as in "hay". To exasperate means to irritate someone intensely, usually by doing something repeatedly.
The word "exasperate" is a verb that signifies the act of intensifying irritation, frustration, or anger. It is derived from the Latin word "exasperatus," meaning to provoke or make rough.
To exasperate someone entails exacerbating or heightening their negative emotions by testing their patience, causing annoyance, or leading to increased frustration. It involves deliberately provoking or agitating another individual through one's actions, words, or behavior. Exasperation can arise from a myriad of sources such as persistent problems, repeated mistakes, incompetence, constant interruptions, or unrelenting demands.
The result of exasperation is a deepened state of annoyance or exasperation within the individual affected. This emotion manifests in various ways, ranging from a short temper, exacerbated stress levels, raised voices, or even physical gestures of frustration.
Furthermore, exasperation can be directed towards inanimate objects or abstract concepts. In such cases, it denotes the feeling of immense frustration or irritation elicited by certain circumstances, events, or systems that repeatedly fail to meet one's expectations or needs.
In summary, to exasperate is to purposely provoke, escalate, or worsen frustration, anger, or irritation in oneself or others. It involves the deliberate act of intensifying negative emotions and can be triggered by factors such as persistent problems, constant interruptions, or unmet expectations.
To irritate to a high degree; to excite to great anger; to enrage or provoke greatly.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word exasperate has its roots in Latin. It ultimately derives from the Latin word exasperare, which is a combination of ex- (meaning out or thoroughly) and asper (meaning rough or harsh). Therefore, exasperare can be understood as to make thoroughly rough or to irritate intensely. This Latin word was then adopted into Middle English as exasperaten, and later transformed into the modern English form exasperate.
