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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of aggravating
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
26 May 2026
The switcheroo that the director pulls between the two protagonists, starting her film with Said but then losing him for a chunk of the running time, can also prove a bit aggravating, especially because actor Letifov (who was also in Western) has such a photogenic face.
—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2026
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2026
His full recovery is anticipated, although, turning 39 during the Cup on June 24, the possibility of aggravating the muscle might be a concern to monitor.
—
Greg Cote
june 4,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggravating
Adjective
But during a press conference following the hearing, Held and the attorneys said aggravating circumstances in the case should meet the legal threshold for the battery case to be charged as a felony.
—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
26 May 2026
The switcheroo that the director pulls between the two protagonists, starting her film with Said but then losing him for a chunk of the running time, can also prove a bit aggravating, especially because actor Letifov (who was also in Western) has such a photogenic face.
—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2026
Verb
Koeninger, a Tennessee signee, was noticeably missing from the batting order after aggravating a left-hand injury last week.
—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2026
His full recovery is anticipated, although, turning 39 during the Cup on June 24, the possibility of aggravating the muscle might be a concern to monitor.
—
Greg Cote
june 4,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggravating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravating
Adjective
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Scam texts are annoying for everyone.
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Others have blamed everything from feminism and long work commutes to annoying kiddy car seats.
Verb
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But for those who just want to grab a bite or see a movie at the IMAX theater, the security protocol is an additional — possibly irritating — barrier.
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The active ingredients in the formula include niacinamide, adenosine, and allantoin, which work together to brighten dark circles, smooth fine lines, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles without irritating sensitive skin.
Verb
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The film’s core narrative was that climate change is driving ever-worsening disasters, such as floods, droughts, storms and wildfires.
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The drone attacks are worsening fuel shortages, with people reporting rising prices and long queues at the filling stations.
Adjective
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So with that, that is extremely frustrating to, to members of Congress, especially Senate Republicans who think legislation like the bipartisan housing bill is good for voters heading into the midterms.
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But months later, Feldstein Soto’s office still hasn’t executed the contracts, frustrating tenants rights advocates and the nonprofits, which are struggling to pay their staff without the funds from the city.
Verb
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That shift may help explain why some couples notice their partner’s scent bothering them more during periods of conflict.
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The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.
Verb
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The new ordinance, written by the Department of City Planning, prohibits new oil and gas extraction, including drilling, redrilling or deepening existing oil wells for the purposes of production.
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Far from diversifying away from China, Europe is deepening its dependencies.
Adjective
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The film is a modern take on the creature horror film told from the perspective of a young boy who slowly begins to discover that his beloved parents are hiding a disturbing secret about his mother’s true nature.
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This past Juneteenth weekend saw a spate of shooting incidents that underscored a disturbing trend.
Verb
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The necessity of the trip at all is what's been bugging me.
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His doctor had been bugging him for years to get a colonoscopy because of his age, but Driggers declined.
Cite this Entry
“Aggravating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravating. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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