aggravated

adjective ag·gra·vat·ed \ ˈa-grə-ˌvā-təd \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of aggravated

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

See aggravated defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of aggravated from the Web

Stephen Bodine was bound over for trial Tuesday on two counts of first-degree felony murder, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, one count of child abuse and one count of aggravated child endangerment.

— Fox News, "Man accused of hiding boy's body in concrete to face trial," 17 Apr. 2018
Can Carson's be rescued?: Carson's jobs could be saved as potential Bon-Ton buyer emerges Banks, 27, and Palmer, 29, were being held Wednesday in the Marion County Jail on preliminary charges of murder and aggravated battery, records show.

— vic ryckaert, Indianapolis Star, "Source: Video shows shooters fire into home where 1-year-old Malaysia Robson killed," 11 Apr. 2018
Krystal Nicole Daniels, 27, was arrested Monday and charged with aggravated child neglect or endangerment as authorities investigate the disappearance of Joe Clyde Daniels, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

— nicole chavez, CNN, "Tennessee mother saw husband kill her 5-year-old son who had autism, authorities say," 11 Apr. 2018
Donick had been charged with aggravated rape, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

— travis andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "Former MIT student avoids jail time for sexually assaulting woman in college dorm," 10 Apr. 2018
Poor women who suffer late-term miscarriages or stillbirths have been convicted of aggravated or attempted homicide in trials that seem to push them all down the same hall of mirrors.

— elisabeth malkin, New York Times, "They Were Jailed for Miscarriages. Now, Campaign Aims to End Abortion Ban.," 9 Apr. 2018
Deputies are calling it an aggravated battery investigation.

— madeleine marr, miamiherald, "He was on his motorcycle and confronted a driver. Then things took a violent turn. | Miami Herald," 9 Apr. 2018
Henry and Schooley also were charged with aggravated endangerment of a child and aggravated battery.

— robert a. cronkleton and steve vockrodt, kansascity, "Schlitterbahn's Verruckt designer John Schooley arrested in Dallas | The Kansas City Star," 3 Apr. 2018
One count of aggravated vehicular homicide and the charge of tampering with evidence was dismissed.

— jennie key, Cincinnati.com, "Driver pleads guilty in death of Elder teacher," 27 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aggravated.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.