4 syllables: Ex, as, per, ate. Stress on as.
ig-ZAS-pur-ayt
/ɪˈɡzæspɚˌeɪt/
Exasperate is pronounced ig-ZAS-pur-ayt (/ɪˈɡzæspɚˌeɪt/). It has four syllables (Ex-as-per-ate), with the stress on "as". Exasperate is a verb meaning to irritate intensively or to frustrate someone greatly. It implies provoking strong annoyance or anger, often through persistent or aggravating behavior. The term conveys a high degree of exasperation, sometimes leading to a loss of patience in response to repeated provocation.
nounExasperate is a verb meaning to irritate intensively or to frustrate someone greatly. It implies provoking strong annoyance or anger, often through persistent or aggravating behavior. The term conveys a high degree of exasperation, sometimes leading to a loss of patience in response to repeated provocation.
"Her endless interruptions exasperated the panel, who struggled to finish their presentations."
"The delays and broken promises exasperated the customers, prompting many to demand refunds."
"He was exasperated by the bureaucratic hurdles that delayed the project for months."
Pronounce as ex-AS-per-ate (IPA US: ɪɡˈzæs.pəˌreɪt; UK/AU: ɛɡˈzæs.pəˌreɪt). The main stress lands on the second syllable, with a secondary emphasis on the final syllable in careful speech. Start with a short, crisp 'ex' /ɪɡ/ or /ɛɡ/ depending on your dialect, then 'zas' /zæs/ with an open front vowel, followed by 'per' /pə/ and ending with /reɪt/ as in 'rate'. Remember the 'x' is pronounced /gz/ after a vowel, not a plain 'x'. Audio resources: compare with dictionaries or YouTube pronunciation tutorials for audible guidance.
Common errors include: 1) misplacing stress, saying ex-AS-per-ate (incorrectly stressing the second syllable); 2) softening the /z/ to an /s/ or mispronouncing the /g/ sound as /dʒ/ or /dʒ/; 3) pronouncing /ɡz/ as /z/ or dropping the /ə/ in the first unstressed syllable. Correction: keep /gz/ after the initial vowel, stress the /æs/ like 'cat', maintain a clear /p/ before /ə/ and finish with /reɪt/. Practice with minimal pairs and slow tempo to lock the sequence.
US: stronger /ɡz/ cluster and a slightly higher vowel in the first syllable; stress on the second syllable, 'AS'. UK: similar pattern but with more clipped /ɡz/ and a sharper /æ/ in the first stressed syllable; AU: often a slightly wider vowel in the /æ/ and a softer /t/ at the end in rapid speech. Overall, all three share the /ɡz/ cluster with stress on the second syllable, but vowel quality and rhotics vary, affecting perceived cadence.
The difficulty comes from the consonant cluster /gz/ after an unstressed syllable, which many speakers soften or mispronounce. The second-syllable stress can feel unusual because English tends to favor primary stresses on longer words’ later syllables, and the sequence /æs.pə/ requires crisp articulation of /s/ and /z/ and a lax /ə/ before /reɪt/. Additionally, the final /eɪt/ is a tense diphthong that verschillen across dialects. Listening to native models helps stabilize the sequence.
A unique aspect is the pronounced /gz/ blend after the initial vowel, which can be misheard as /səz/ or /ægz/ by some learners. Focus on keeping the /g/ audible before the /z/ and ensure the /æ/ is short and open in the stressed syllable. The ending /reɪt/ should glide to a clear /eɪ/ rather than a clipped /ɪt/ in casual speech. Avoid crowding the middle syllables; keep them light but distinct.
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Exasperate comes from the Latin exasperare, formed from ex- (out of, thoroughly) and asperare (to roughen, irritate), which in turn derives from asper, meaning rough or harsh. The sense evolved in English to mean “to irritate greatly” or to inflame someone’s temper. The first known English use appeared in the early 17th century, aligning with the period’s increasing influence of Latin-based vocabulary in scholarly and literary contexts. Over time, exasperate retained its strong connotation of intensification—going beyond mere annoyance to provoke deep irritation or anger. The word is commonly found in formal writing and can carry a somewhat archaic or literary tone, depending on context. In modern usage, it often appears in discussions of frustration caused by persistent behavior, inefficiency, or contradictory actions. The word’s staying power in English literature and rhetoric reflects its precise emphasis on a peak of irritation, rather than a mild aggravation. The root components, ex- and asper-, help explain its strong, active character: ex- signals outward, thorough extent, while asper- evokes roughness, thereby fully conveying the sense of irritating force unleashed externally through someone’s conduct or situation.
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Words that rhyme with "Exasperate"
-ate sounds
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