aggravation

ag·gra·va·tion | \ ˌa-grə-ˈvā-shən

Definition of aggravation

1 : an act or circumstance that intensifies something or makes something worse His interference was an aggravation of the situation.

2 : the act, action, or result of aggravating something or someone especially : an increasing in seriousness or severity aggravation of an injury

3 : irritation, provocation Her job involves a lot of stress and aggravation.

Synonyms Common Uses of Aggravate, Aggravation, and Aggravating: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Learn More about aggravation

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Common Uses of Aggravate, Aggravation, and Aggravating: Usage Guide

Although aggravate has been used to refer to rousing someone to anger since the 17th century, it has been the object of disapproval only since about 1870. It is used in expository prose when his silly conceit … about his not-very-good early work has begun to aggravate us — William Styron but seems to be more common in speech and casual writing. a good profession for him, because bus drivers get aggravated — Jackie Gleason, interview, 1986 & now this letter comes to aggravate me a thousand times worse — Mark Twain, letter, 1864 The "make worse" meaning is far more common in published prose than the "rouse to anger" meaning. Such is not the case, however, with aggravation and aggravating. Aggravation is used in the "irritation, provocation" sense somewhat more than in its earlier senses; aggravating has practically no use other than to express annoyance.

Examples of aggravation in a Sentence

trying to avoid the aggravation of an existing back problem I don't need all this aggravation. This car has caused me nothing but aggravation. Many talented people now feel that a career in politics isn't worth all the aggravation. I don't need all these aggravations.

Recent Examples on the Web Robinson could play a big role later this week if Brown, whose rib injury was actually an aggravation of an injury suffered in practice in mid-September, is unable to play Thursday. — Dallas News, "Say his name: Unknown Cowboys player has big role in fourth quarter of win over Vikings," 23 Nov. 2020 But the incoming administration is going to have trouble ignoring Trump, who’s poised to remain at least an aggravation to Biden. — Tribune News Service, al, "Biden’s strategy for a predecessor who won’t go away: Ignore him," 3 Jan. 2021 The interviews found widespread Democratic aggravation with the electoral process but little expectation that the rush of anti-Trump maneuvering can stop him. — James Freeman, WSJ, "What Will We Do Without Trump?," 15 Dec. 2020 It's not known if this injury is a re-aggravation of the old one or a new injury. — Amie Just | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, "Saints' Andrus Peat, Ty Montgomery ruled out for game vs. Broncos, Deonte Harris questionable," 27 Nov. 2020 The tariffs are the latest aggravation in rapidly deteriorating relations between Australia and its largest trading partner, China. — Eamon Barrett, Fortune, "China slaps 200% anti-dumping tariffs on Australian wine as relations continue to sour," 27 Nov. 2020 Samuell Williamson’s return is also a boon following his patella tendon aggravation. — Shannon Russell, The Courier-Journal, "The wait is over. Louisville basketball nears its season opener against Evansville," 24 Nov. 2020 So spend a few extra dollars and save yourself the aggravation. — Joe Genzel, Outdoor Life, "The Ultimate Walk-In Duck Hunting Gear I Can’t Live Without," 5 Nov. 2020 That was my aggravation on the first day of our test of digital riflescopes versus the year’s best analog scopes. — Andrew Mckean, Outdoor Life, "Are Smart Scopes the Hunting Tool of the Future or Shortcuts to Close-Enough Accuracy?," 24 Sep. 2020

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