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
Zeldin supports policies that aggravate the already dire decline in bird and other animal populations.
—
Milly Dawson, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Another said the product is effective at smoothing lines without aggravating sensitive skin.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
But the standoff is also aggravating a humanitarian crisis already unfolding on the island.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
The industry’s challenges may be aggravated by the US government’s recent rollback of emissions regulations.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Milly Dawson, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Another said the product is effective at smoothing lines without aggravating sensitive skin.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
But the standoff is also aggravating a humanitarian crisis already unfolding on the island.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
The industry’s challenges may be aggravated by the US government’s recent rollback of emissions regulations.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravate
Verb
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Easily annoyed, the driver keeps giving punches to the center of the steering wheel.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
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The White House could also insist that while Tkachuk was annoyed, he wasn’t harmed in a way the law ought to remedy.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tim Pennington called again that evening, Bell said, to ask for prayers as his son's condition was worsening, and then later told him the soldier had succumbed to his injuries.—
ALLEN G. BREED,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
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Behind the scenes, DHS officials worry that the longer the shutdown lasts, the greater the risk that more TSA employees will leave, worsening staffing shortages beyond the immediate crisis.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This constant, unchanging, repetitive loading of a treadmill can irritate tissue and lead to knee issues, Holland says.—
Danielle Zickl,
Outside,
8 Mar. 2026
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To their sorrow, some people use its broad leaves as dunny paper — bad idea, as the leaves have fine hair that can irritate sensitive skin.—
Carl R. Gold,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As mentioned previously, KU’s woes only deepened in the second half.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
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Neighbors brace for impact If the crisis deepens, aid groups say the most likely destinations for refugees are Iran’s borders with Iraq and Turkey, which stretch roughly 2,200 kilometers (1,367 miles) through rough alpine terrain that is home to many Kurdish communities and are difficult to police.—
Sam McNeil,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That didn’t bother the three roaches crawling on the floor by a carbon dioxide tank inside the storage room behind the office.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
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Other clips don’t even bother rendering a proper baby.—
Joe Wilkins Published Mar 12,
Futurism,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Environmental advocates who brought the case say the decision will exacerbate California’s energy affordability crisis.—
Malena Carollo,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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Further, according to the paper, when supply tightens, richer nations outbid poorer ones for scarce shipments, exacerbating challenges for vulnerable economies.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And also, Bill has to be home and also not bugging me.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
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Clara could hear Dune’s sister, Fern, in the background bugging Dune to resume their chess game.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Iran war intensified as Washington and Tehran focused their attention on the Strait of Hormuz and showed little sign of easing their aerial campaigns.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
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Benoit Tessier | Reuters LONDON — European stocks are expected to open lower on Wednesday, as traders monitor intensifying operations in the Middle East.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aggravate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravate. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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