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

Relevance

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 Such filings typically chronicle the impact of a defendant's crimes, as well as his history, upbringing and other aggravating or mitigating factors. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026 Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez aggravated his sore right elbow on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers. — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026 Houthi attacks in the Red ⁠Sea have aggravated the disruptions of supplies to global markets. — Reuters, NBC news, 9 Aug. 2026 Disappointingly, Morgan experienced no hallucinations from these tests, which seemed only to aggravate his research subjects. — Kimon De Greef, Longreads, 4 Aug. 2026 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
  • Kids in all three countries loved learning dances from TikTok and annoying their siblings.
    — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Gen is annoyed that Joy is still entertaining Luke via texts and video chats.
    — Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of annoy
Verb
  • Africa's most populous country will hold the election against a backdrop of worsening economic and security crises that have caused anger among voters against Tinubu's government.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • His relatives called Montes a troubled man whose struggles have worsened since the recent death of his grandmother, who raised him.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of worsen
Verb
  • Lemon water can irritate teeth or stomach in large amounts and may need to be limited in people with advanced kidney disease who have fluid or potassium restrictions.
    — MD Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Few things at airports irritate customers like filthy toilets or water on the restroom floor.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritate
Verb
  • As China’s strategic rivalry with the US and its allies deepens, Beijing has broadened its anti-espionage campaign, casting suspicious eyes on foreign ties amid concerns about the leak of state secrets.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Savoring distinguishes itself from gratitude and mindfulness by actively deepening present joys.
    — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of deepen
Verb
  • Contreras rarely takes days off but asked for a day off Sunday with his leg bothering him.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Chapman won’t play another game for the Giants this year after undergoing core muscle surgery earlier this week, but the 33-year-old has finally addressed an ailment that’s bothered him for effectively the whole season.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of bother
Verb
  • The relative resilience of global markets during the first five months of the Hormuz disruption could reinforce confidence in the adaptability of the global oil and gas system rather than exacerbate fears about it.
    — Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
  • As social isolation and loneliness grow, exacerbating our risk of an early death from all causes, these daily interactions centered around communal spaces are a lifeline.
    — Kyle Vanelli, STAT, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of exacerbate
Verb
  • Not too much bugs him, but he sometimes is annoyed by his baby sister and doesn’t trust people who put pineapple on their pizza.
    — Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The indictment revealed that prosecutors had bugged the Aisenbergs' home for three months after Sabrina's disappearance.
    — Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of bug
Verb
  • Clashes have intensified near the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a key maritime chokepoint, in recent weeks after the Houthis declared a blockade of Saudi shipping in the Red Sea.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Nearly all the survivors have returned to Morocco, and both countries have intensified security measures.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of intensify

Browse Nearby Words

aggrandizing
aggravate
aggravated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aggravate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravate. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on aggravate

Nglish: Translation of aggravate for Spanish Speakers

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All