as in annoying
causing annoyance
there's nothing so aggravating as a blaring car alarm that no one is paying any attention to
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in irritating
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in worsening
to make more severe
overheated rhetoric that only aggravated an already tense situation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aggravating
Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2025
Impersonating a police officer with an aggravating factor of driving a vehicle that looked like a police car.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 14 Aug. 2025
William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
Christian Walker aggravating his left oblique Wednesday afternoon opened myriad possibilities for general manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada, two men who’ve taken clear stances on promoting prospects.
—Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggravating
Adjective
The jury also added charges of felony cruelty to an animal and impersonating a police officer with an aggravating factor of driving a vehicle that looked like a police car.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2025
Impersonating a police officer with an aggravating factor of driving a vehicle that looked like a police car.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
Following his final round, the two-time major champion detailed surviving the weekend without aggravating his rib injury.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
Christian Walker aggravating his left oblique Wednesday afternoon opened myriad possibilities for general manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada, two men who’ve taken clear stances on promoting prospects.
—Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggravating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravating
Adjective
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Beyond that, people found the Mitfords’ very, very aristocratic accent extremely annoying.—
Mimi Pond,
People.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Here's how to erase annoying scratches from hardwood floors.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, Agnes is dressed exactly like Wednesday and her Single White Female act is irritating the hell out of her hero.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
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Pesky skeeters are irritating Lake County residents as the number of insects carrying the worrisome West Nile Virus climbs.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Fortunately, just as the worsening problem feels insurmountable, solutions are becoming feasible.—
Dan Riskin,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Wildfire worries With the worsening drought comes worries over wildfires.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Before last season, his latent talent was obvious, but a frustrating lack of consistency meant the 28-year-old was never — until now — even included in the 30-man shortlist for the award.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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More frustrating still is when the shoe is on the other foot.—
Bruce Tulgan,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Lead with Gratitude and Grace Calling out someone for bothering you is always tricky.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
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That appeared to be a distraction at times to Anisimova, who motioned to her team in the stands that something was bothering her during ball tosses for serves.—
Howard Fendrich,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As well as job displacement, AI risks deepening wealth inequality—concentrating the gains among those who own or are able to leverage its abilities, while throwing the remainder into the same basket of the formerly employable unemployed.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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Instead, officials reinforce colonial subordination while deepening the vulnerability of immigrant communities.—
Israel Melendez Ayala,
Time,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Fortunately, there are straightforward ways to reduce your chances of being confronted with violent or disturbing videos.—
Annie Margaret,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
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Celebrating the assassination of a 31 year old father of two young kids is disturbing; that teachers would be among those who do so is completely unacceptable.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Analysts now warn that Patel's on-air summaries may force prosecutors to respond in court, potentially complicating an already fast-moving and closely watched prosecution.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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Right guard Tyler Steen was driven back into Hurts during the offense’s second drive, complicating a third-and-10 throw that fell incomplete.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggravating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravating. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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