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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of aggravate
Money could be at the heart of the power struggle when Mars aggravates Pluto.
—
Usa Today, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
So did Case Keenum after Sam Bradford aggravated an old knee injury.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
His criminal history includes convictions for felony grand larceny, felony aggravated DUI with a child passenger less than 16 years old, identify theft, and retail theft.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
When law enforcement showed up, Davis asked to have his hands cuffed in front of him, so as not to aggravate his bum shoulder.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Usa Today, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
So did Case Keenum after Sam Bradford aggravated an old knee injury.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
His criminal history includes convictions for felony grand larceny, felony aggravated DUI with a child passenger less than 16 years old, identify theft, and retail theft.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
When law enforcement showed up, Davis asked to have his hands cuffed in front of him, so as not to aggravate his bum shoulder.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravate
Verb
-
In practice, Musk bowed to authoritarian governments or banned critical journalists when their reporting annoyed him.—
Jacob Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Joe proceeded to get drunk, annoy her (and multiple other cast members), and ultimately exit the party early to pass out in his room.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Mostly sunny and very warm; persistent dry weather will worsen drought conditions through the weekend.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Thompson said the lending skew will ultimately create worsened housing markets.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Always dilute apple cider vinegar with water and drink through a straw to avoid damaging tooth enamel and irritating the esophagus.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The decision by Aaron Turner, Kuminga’s agent, to go on a media tour in recent weeks while negotiating publicly in hopes of landing a better offer for Kuminga, irritated some with the organization, according to league sources.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Over the years, Kahn has seen her friend’s spirituality and connection to others deepen.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
As their bond deepens, Tate must confront dark secrets from Wren’s past and the possibility that love can transcend life and death.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Reviewing pages have been thinned by the forces of history and technology; few Pynchon skeptics anymore bother to take the time to read the novels and register their objections.—
Book Marks
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
-
But Bob Say, owner of Los Angeles’ Freakbeat Records, for one, isn’t all that bothered.—
Roy Trakin,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Mining companies have so exacerbated water scarcity that many Indigenous Chileans have had to give up herding.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The Cowboys have been marred by the lack of playoff success since Aikman left the building, and there’s nothing from Romo’s career in the win column that should be worth exacerbating.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Daily Stride Comfort No-show Socks There is nothing that bugs me more than no-show socks that curl up underneath your foot minutes into wearing them.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
-
At the end of the 19th century, Phylloxera bugs infected vineyards across Europe but a solution was found, and viticulture adapted and continued.—
Miguel A. Torres,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Human rights advocates say Israel’s destruction of health infrastructure and intensified hostilities have hampered efforts to document the full scope of famine in Gaza.—
Soph Warnes,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
-
As the winds intensified, power lines across the city started to fault.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggravate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravate. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share