to irritate or provoke to a high degree; annoy extremely

He was exasperated by the senseless delays.

Archaic . to increase the intensity or violence of (disease, pain, feelings, etc.).

Botany . rough; covered with hard, projecting points, as a leaf.

verb

calm , comfort , ease , placate , please , soothe

verb

aggravate , agitate , anger , annoy , bug * , disturb , drive up the wall , embitter , enrage , exacerbate , excite , gall , get * , get under one’s skin , incense , inflame , infuriate , irk , irritate , madden , make waves , needle * , nettle , peeve , pique , rankle , rile , roil , rouse , t-off , try the patience of , vex , work up , bother , bug , chafe , fret , get , provoke , put out , ruffle , imbitter , intensify , tire , upset