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
In keeping with its tendency to defer to leftwing activists at the risk of aggravating the broader public, the Biden administration did away with Trump’s executive orders governing water flow rates.
—
The Editors, National Review, 11 Apr. 2025
She was charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failure to yield to a red light and speeding, cops said.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2025
Second baseman Gleyber Torres rested his sore ribs on Saturday after aggravating the area with a home-run swing the previous day.
—Joe Guillen, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
She was later arrested, charged with murder, torture, child endangerment and aggravated mayhem, and ordered to be held without bail.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
The Editors, National Review, 11 Apr. 2025
She was charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failure to yield to a red light and speeding, cops said.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2025
Second baseman Gleyber Torres rested his sore ribs on Saturday after aggravating the area with a home-run swing the previous day.
—Joe Guillen, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
She was later arrested, charged with murder, torture, child endangerment and aggravated mayhem, and ordered to be held without bail.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravate
Verb
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Seiders, 44, is charged with felony child pornography possession, misdemeanor annoying a child under 18, concealing a camera with intent to invade privacy and attempting to conceal a camera.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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What annoyed me was good old-fashioned stupid gameplay.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The administration’s threat of tariffs on pharmaceuticals risks political backlash, worsening drug shortages and future battles over who pays.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2025
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The death of the head of the Catholic Church comes after a series of worsening health problems, including a respiratory crisis that left him in critical condition in recent months.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This can be particularly irritating to eczema-prone skin.—
Sierra Leone Starks,
Allure,
18 Apr. 2025
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Pairing some active ingredients can irritate the skin, and other combinations may reduce the effectiveness of the ingredients.1 1.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Research from psychologists Robert Emmons and Philip Watkins shows that gratitude, especially in moments of hardship, strengthens our emotional well-being and deepens our connections.—
Colin Bedell,
Them.,
18 Apr. 2025
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The intricate tensions of their relationships are deepened by evocations of the past—including their forebears’ tragic resistance to enslavement—and of enduring African traditions.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow was popular enough that fans wanted a solo story, but the studio didn't bother to make it until her character was already dead in the major timeline, then skipped the theatrical release, which Johansson sued them about.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
19 Apr. 2025
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So much so that Gillaspie didn’t bother to even grab a towel last summer when a pitching coach yelled into the visiting showers to alert him that Triple-A El Paso manager Pete Zamora needed to see him.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But fake service dogs are taking a bite out of real service dogs’ credibility, exacerbating the challenges that people with disabilities who rely on service animals already face, advocates say.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2025
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How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Cinque Terre in Italy Learn More CNN reported at the time that the footwear rule came into play after the local mountain rescue crews became exacerbated by having to rescue so many people tripping over their own feet.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Curry is 37 and played Sunday with his right thumb wrapped in athletic tape, nursing an ailment that has bugged him all season.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2025
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And for me, nothing bugs me more than engaging in social activities to check the box rather than making meaningful connections.—
Time,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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President Trump’s recent ultimatum proposing U.S. recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea has intensified the diplomatic divide within Europe, forcing European capitals to choose between Kyiv or Washington.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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As the pope’s funeral approached, security around the Vatican intensified.—
Alan Yuhas,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggravate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravate. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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