aggravate

verb

ˈa-grə-ˌvāt How to pronounce aggravate (audio)
Definition of aggravatenext
1
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts it really aggravates me when I arrive 10 minutes before the stated closing time, and the store's closed already

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to worsen
to make more severe overheated rhetoric that only aggravated an already tense situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of aggravate The shift may not only draw anger from Israel's emboldened far right but also aggravate divisions within Trump's own administration between an old conservative guard seeking a more assertive posture on Iran and the rising cadre of Trump loyalists who more closely share the president's vision. — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025 Vargas, 38, of Osteen, pleaded guilty on Aug. 21 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit money laundering, prosecutors said. — Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2025 Through immigration policy, the Trump administration could either aggravate the shortage or ease it, which would either raise or lower housing costs. — Salim Furth, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025 These have got worse across the previous two years and have recently been aggravated by a slew of injuries. — Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravate
  1. annoy
  2. worsen
  3. irritate
  4. deepen
  5. bother
  6. exacerbate
  7. bug
  8. intensify
Verb
  • With Connecticut facing the possibility of exceeding the cap by $61 million, Lamont is reining in spending, annoying some liberal Democrats who note that the state is simultaneously looking at a budget surplus.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Also keeping with that theme are tons of Marvel references to the point that Mara (who starred in 2015’s Fantastic Four) was likely getting annoyed.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of annoy
Verb
  • But losses continued, worsened by the high inflation that had shoppers tightening their clothing budgets.
    — Alina Selyukh, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Prepare for funding challenges Securing financing before a downturn worsens can be a game-changer.
    — Melissa Houston, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of worsen
Verb
  • In addition to the on-again, off-again tariffs and the militarization of the border, Trump has irritated Mexico by renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Salt grains may be irritating, especially for people with sensitive skin types.
    — Susan Bard, Health, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of irritate
Verb
  • Both prove facile stabs at deepening their male counterparts.
    — J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
  • What’s Next: The Fed, Earnings, and More Tariff Talk As investors look forward, the focus shifts to a few catalysts that could either stabilize markets or deepen the decline: The Federal Reserve’s next moves, a fresh batch of economic data, Russia Ukraine Peace talks, and the ongoing trade war.
    — Adam Sarhan, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of deepen
Verb
  • The First Amendment’s free speech protection is under siege by the Trump administration and that should bother every American, including Republicans.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • By the end of the day, my T-zone had turned a little bit oily, but honestly, not enough to bother me.
    — Denise Primbet, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of bother
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Charlotte struggles emotionally, and her longing for a baby is sometimes exacerbated by seeing her friend grumble about her impending motherhood.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Stress reduction techniques: Chronic stress can exacerbate autoimmune conditions.
    — Jesse Pines, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of exacerbate
Verb
  • Ferrell bugs his eyes out and sighs a series of increasingly desperate spit-takes, but this project was probably doomed from the get-go.
    — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
  • The movie's famous final scene sees Hackman's character playing the saxophone after his paranoia has led him to destroy his entire apartment to see if it was bugged.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of bug
Verb
  • Trump’s hardline approach to deporting immigrants has intensified America’s already-stark partisan divide.
    — Brad Heath, Joshua Schneyer, Marisa Taylor, Sarah N. Lynch, Mike Spector, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
  • As climate goals become more urgent and regulatory pressures intensify, retailers are at a pivotal moment in their sustainability journeys.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of intensify

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Cite this Entry

“Aggravate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravate. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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