4 syllables: ex, as, per, ated. Stress on as.
/ɪɡˈzæspəˌreɪtɪd/
Say it backExasperated describes a state of intense irritation or annoyance, often accompanied by fatigue. It conveys that someone has been pushed to the limit by circumstance or behavior, resulting in exasperation rather than outright anger. The term combines a sense of frustration with weariness, implying a reaction that’s emotionally spent and near the edge.
"She looked at the broken printer and sighed, visibly exasperated by the endless jams."
"The manager’s evasive answers left the audience exasperated and ready to leave."
"After three failed attempts, he shrugged in exasperation and tried a new approach."
Say /ɪɡˈzæspəˌreɪtɪd/. Start with a light /ɪ/ leading into /ɡ/ and /z/ cluster, then stress the second syllable: ex-AS-per-ated. The /æ/ in the second syllable is short, followed by /sp/ cluster. End with /əˌtɪd/ where the -ed typically sounds like /ɪd/ in careful speech or /t/ in rapid speech. In careful speech you’ll hear: ɪɡˈzæspəˌreɪtɪd.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing stress as ex-AS-per-ated. Correct: second syllable is stressed: /ɪɡˈzæspəˌreɪtɪd/. 2) Slurring the /z/ into /s/ or mispronouncing /æ/ as a lax vowel. Keep /æ/ as in cat and ensure the /z/ is voiced. 3) Dropping the /t/ in -ated, giving /ɪɡˈzæspəˌreɪd/ or /ɪɡˈzæspəreɪt/. Final /t/ is typically pronounced in careful speech.
US: /ɪɡˈzæspəˌreɪtɪd/, rhotic; clear /r/ in /reɪtɪd/. UK: similar skeleton, often glottalization less, sometimes lighter /t/ or /ɾ/. AU: tends to be non-rhotic; may soften final /d/ to /d/ or flap in casual speech; maintain stress on the second syllable with a sharper /æ/ and /sp/ cluster.
Key challenges: the /æ/ vowel in the stressed syllable, the /sp/ consonant cluster after; the mid-word /ɡ/ before /z/ can blur if not careful; and maintaining the secondary stress pattern across /ˌreɪ/ and the final /tɪd/. Also, the final -ed can reduce to /ɪd/ or /d/ depending on speed; precise articulation helps clarity.
Yes. The word carries a secondary stress potential on sp- or -per depending on emphasis; the sequence /zæsp/ is a critical cluster that can sound muffled if the tongue doesn’t articulate the z clearly. Maintain voiced /z/ and the /sp/ blend, avoiding a rushed transition from /æ/ to /s/. The clean /reɪ/ syllable must carry the other strong component of the stress apart from /æ/.
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Exasperated comes from the Latin exasperare, meaning to irritate highly or inflame. Ex (out) + asperare (to roughen or irritate) traces to exasperare, formed from ex- (out) and asper (rough, irritating). The sense evolved in Late Middle English/early Modern English to describe intensification of irritation, escalation of annoyance into weariness. The first English usage appears in the 16th–17th centuries, often in medical or moral contexts where a person’s patience is exhausted. Over time, the word broadened beyond clinical or formal discourse to everyday conversation, retaining the core nuance of aggravated frustration that has a psychological dimension—frustration compounded by fatigue or resignation. In contemporary usage, exasperated frequently collocates with verbs such as “look,” “ sigh,” “respond,” and “explain,” signaling a reaction at the tipping point of tolerance. The word’s syllable pattern and accentuation have remained stable, with primary stress on the second syllable: ex-AS-per-ated in many uses, though careful listeners may place subtle emphasis on the “asper” root to convey degree of irritation. Overall, exasperated embodies a high-intensity, emotionally drained state that sits between irritation and despair.
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Words that rhyme with "exasperated"
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