aggravated

adjective

ag·​gra·​vat·​ed ˈa-grə-ˌvā-təd How to pronounce aggravated (audio)
1
: angry or displeased especially because of small problems or annoyances : feeling or showing aggravation
Sid snored on. Tom was aggravated. He said, "Sid, Sid!" and shook him.Mark Twain
The maid sounded very aggravated.Louise Fitzhugh
2
law, of a criminal offense : considered more serious or heinous than normal : characterized by aggravating elements (such as the use of a deadly weapon)
aggravated manslaughter
see also aggravated assault

Examples of aggravated in a Sentence

aggravated customers looking in vain for a salesclerk for assistance
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Foster is facing a charge of aggravated murder, according to an arrest warrant filed in Licking County Court cited by CNN. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025 Maynor Francisco Hernandez-Rodas, 38, a citizen of Guatemala, according to the Suffolk District Attorney’s office, faces four counts of aggravated rape of a child, three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and a count of enticing a child under 16. Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2025 Council motion:Fix downtown Cincinnati traffic gridlock due to Big Mac bridge fire Zachary Stumpf and Terry Stiles Zachary Stumpf, 23, of Owensville in Clermont County and Terry Stiles, 39, of Arlington Heights in Hamilton County are both charged with aggravated arson, a felony. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2024 Nunley faces a murder charge in that case out of Parker County and had a previous conviction of aggravated assault, according to the statement. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aggravated

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of aggravate

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aggravated was circa 1611

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Aggravated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aggravated. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

Legal Definition

aggravated

adjective
ag·​gra·​vat·​ed
: characterized by aggravating elements (as the use of a deadly weapon)
aggravated kidnapping

More from Merriam-Webster on aggravated

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!