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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Recent Examples of aggravate
The decision to close the waterway now rests with the country's national security council, and its possibility has raised the specter of higher energy prices and aggravated geopolitical tensions, with Washington calling upon Beijing to prevent the strait's closure.
—
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 June 2025
He was observed limping earlier in the series, then appeared to aggravate the calf in Game 5.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 23 June 2025
Turkey relies heavily on energy imports, including from Iran, and rising oil prices due to the conflict could aggravate inflation and further strain its troubled economy.
—Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025
Mamdani’s budget-busting plans and doctrinaire leftwing advocacy would aggravate the city’s problems, not solve them.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 June 2025
He was observed limping earlier in the series, then appeared to aggravate the calf in Game 5.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 23 June 2025
Turkey relies heavily on energy imports, including from Iran, and rising oil prices due to the conflict could aggravate inflation and further strain its troubled economy.
—Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025
Mamdani’s budget-busting plans and doctrinaire leftwing advocacy would aggravate the city’s problems, not solve them.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravate
Verb
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Francie instantly annoys Nat by kissing Pete hello, and the two women start yelling at each other immediately.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
27 June 2025
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If visible bulbs and cables annoy you, these aren’t for you.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Sweden reintroduced a gender-neutral draft in 2017 citing worsening security conditions, while Norway became the first NATO country to implement gender-equal conscription in 2013.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
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This can lead to more frequent awakenings, shallower sleep and worsened airway instability, resulting in more apnea events.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Jake Paul’s everyday unscented face wash avoids irritating fragrances but is infused with vitamin B3 to help keep your skin hydrated.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2025
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Work exposures: If you are frequently exposed to irritating chemicals or substances, your risk of dermatitis is higher.—
Carrie Madormo,
Health,
29 June 2025
Verb
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My top goal is to deepen team alignment around our core mission, as clarity drives performance.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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While focused largely on political rights, the U.N. report also highlights Venezuela’s deepening economic collapse.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 June 2025
Verb
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If Waldron wasn’t battered, then Phillies starter Zack Wheeler was hardly bothered.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 June 2025
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While notification bundles were an option before, they were primarily used for messaging, and not all developers bothered.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Electricity shortages are also exacerbating the crisis.—
Diaa Ostaz,
ABC News,
28 June 2025
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Already delayed construction projects will lag The day laborer crackdown will exacerbate an already tenuous labor market in the U.S.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Say your mother kept bugging you to change a bad habit.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
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Next season is when all the little things start to bug me.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Black women are often conditioned to prioritize others’ needs over their own, and this tendency may intensify during the summertime demands.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 June 2025
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While inflation and rising interest rates have intensified financial pressure across the board, the impact has been disproportionately severe for those already operating at a capital disadvantage, which includes many women of color entrepreneurs.—
Alejandra Rojas,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggravate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravate. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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