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
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Recent Examples of aggravate
The decision to close the waterway now rests with the country's national security council, and its possibility has raised the specter of higher energy prices and aggravated geopolitical tensions, with Washington calling upon Beijing to prevent the strait's closure.
—
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 June 2025
He was observed limping earlier in the series, then appeared to aggravate the calf in Game 5.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 23 June 2025
Turkey relies heavily on energy imports, including from Iran, and rising oil prices due to the conflict could aggravate inflation and further strain its troubled economy.
—Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025
Mamdani’s budget-busting plans and doctrinaire leftwing advocacy would aggravate the city’s problems, not solve them.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 June 2025
He was observed limping earlier in the series, then appeared to aggravate the calf in Game 5.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 23 June 2025
Turkey relies heavily on energy imports, including from Iran, and rising oil prices due to the conflict could aggravate inflation and further strain its troubled economy.
—Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025
Mamdani’s budget-busting plans and doctrinaire leftwing advocacy would aggravate the city’s problems, not solve them.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravate
Verb
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If your idea of patience looks like being endlessly agreeable, never getting annoyed, and staying calm through any inconvenience….—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
17 June 2025
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We get used to it quickly, and will be annoyed when it is replaced.—
Roger Dooley,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Verb
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Some locals in Venice, which has dealt with overtourism that has strained the city’s infrastructure and services for years, will protest the wedding over concerns its scale will worsen some of the issues created by excessive tourist crowds.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
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Other inflammatory conditions can also cause back pain that worsens with rest and improves with activity, Dr. Portugal says.—
Katie Camero,
SELF,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Spicy foods: Spicy foods may irritate the stomach and intestines, which could worsen or extend food poisoning symptoms.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
21 June 2025
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This will irritate them and also decrease their likelihood of returning.—
Bartosz Skwarczek,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Verb
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The fractures that divided Senate Republicans before the bill text was released on June 16 remain – or have deepened – now that the details are clear.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
18 June 2025
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The distribution agreement deepens the collaboration between TF1 and Netflix, which already co-produce series together, including Les Combattantes, L’Agence and Tout le bleu du ciel.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Also on this episode: With Emmy nomination voting ending on Monday, the Roundtable takes one more look at the major categories, how the number of submissions has changed some of the competition and who didn’t bother to join in.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
20 June 2025
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Orban said in February that organisers should not even bother organizing Pride in Budapest this year.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
19 June 2025
Verb
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Electricity shortages are also exacerbating the crisis.—
Diaa Ostaz,
ABC News,
28 June 2025
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Already delayed construction projects will lag The day laborer crackdown will exacerbate an already tenuous labor market in the U.S.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Say your mother kept bugging you to change a bad habit.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
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Next season is when all the little things start to bug me.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Getty Images Cybercriminals have intensified their efforts to steal and sell online passwords, experts warn.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
26 June 2025
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Black women are often conditioned to prioritize others’ needs over their own, and this tendency may intensify during the summertime demands.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggravate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravate. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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