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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aggravate
That’s because all that vigorous motion can jostle and aggravate the parietal peritoneum.
—
Jenny McCoy, SELF, 26 Mar. 2026
Cortisone shots were the initial treatment, but the injury was re-aggravated in September 2025.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
One person said the shooting aggravated a neurological condition.
—Christopher Spata, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
The move aggravated the country's existing energy crises and triggered widespread fuel shortages.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Jenny McCoy, SELF, 26 Mar. 2026
Cortisone shots were the initial treatment, but the injury was re-aggravated in September 2025.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
One person said the shooting aggravated a neurological condition.
—Christopher Spata, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
The move aggravated the country's existing energy crises and triggered widespread fuel shortages.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravate
Verb
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The platform’s staff has seemed minorly annoyed at the shots Denk and others at Beehiiv have taken as Substack has moved from disruptor to incumbent.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
-
One who grew up respectful but annoyed by the success the league previously had in Seattle.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Over time this will worsen outcomes for chronic illness and preventative care.—
Dr. Howard A. Selinger,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The problem is expected to worsen over time without climate change mitigation.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Even minimal exposure to artificial lights irritated his burns, and recovery took months.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Many people have come out of the woodwork and jumped on the bandwagon, which irritated me.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That silence has only deepened scrutiny.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Thousands of Shahed drones have pummeled the Persian Gulf this month, hitting hotels, airports, seaports, desalination plants, and energy infrastructure, and deepening the worst oil-price shock in modern history.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At Brookhurst and Magnolia streets, construction was stopped so nearby birds that were nesting weren’t bothered.—
Jim Radcliffe,
Oc Register,
27 Mar. 2026
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Throughout the day, jot down any worries that are bothering you, particularly the ones that keep popping up.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Creativity has also been an issue for Spurs all season, something that has been exacerbated by the long-term injuries to Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.—
Graham Ruthven,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
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Her subsequent breakdown, exacerbated by an eating disorder and physical exhaustion, marked the end of her years as America’s sweetheart—and one of its most profitable stars.—
Jackson Howard,
Pitchfork,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chandler Zavala has been fighting the injury bug his whole career.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The cost of it, however, is boots and bug repellent.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The backlash intensified because of timing.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Most importantly, the legislation intensified punishments for those with prior convictions, with the worst offenders looking at a first-degree felony with up to 30 years imprisonment.—
Sean M. Cleary,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aggravate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravate. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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