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
One victim expressed concern that the punch to their chest may have aggravated a previous open-heart surgery, court documents added.
—
Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Gordon practiced for the first time in over a month on Wednesday after aggravating a groin injury.
—Matt Zahn, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Nathan tells him to get in the water in order to fix the hooks and ropes, but Max stands on the Jet Ski instead, which aggravates the bosun.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
Sweet was initially arrested on suspicion of felony aggravated DUI, but a criminal complaint filed by the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office shows he was charged with vehicular manslaughter.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Gordon practiced for the first time in over a month on Wednesday after aggravating a groin injury.
—Matt Zahn, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Nathan tells him to get in the water in order to fix the hooks and ropes, but Max stands on the Jet Ski instead, which aggravates the bosun.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
Sweet was initially arrested on suspicion of felony aggravated DUI, but a criminal complaint filed by the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office shows he was charged with vehicular manslaughter.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravate
Verb
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There is no sound, and Helen begins to get annoyed.—
Sadia Shepard,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
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Luis is frankly annoyed by this type of music.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The city said the decision was a result of several years worth of mounting safety concerns, ordinance violations and residential complaints about the vacant structure’s worsening state.—
Anna Ortiz,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
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The immense costs associated with the program have only worsened the economic situation, leading to a more stifling environment.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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These changes to the fabric’s texture can also irritate delicate skin.—
Elizabeth Brownfield,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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To ensure the materials were safe for biological use, the friction layers was tested on a rabbit’s eye, where the device maintained its charge without irritating.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Grappling hooks, 30-foot ladder The Sigourney Street tower’s decline began deepening in 2024 with the proliferation of graffiti and tagging, much of which was later removed from the brick exterior.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
11 Jan. 2026
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Tensions between China and Japan are deepening as a diplomatic row over Taiwan morphs into an urgent economic conflict.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Take a seat on an icy throne—the cold never bothered you anyway.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
9 Jan. 2026
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Don’t bother wasting your money—using it more than once a day won’t yield ‘better’ or faster results.—
Ali Pantony,
Glamour,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While fast charging is already challenging at room temperature, low temperatures exacerbate kinetic limitations, triggering lithium plating on graphite anodes and sharply reducing available capacity.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
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Experts say systemic racism and implicit bias from health care providers are among the factors that exacerbate this disparity, contributing to delays in care or symptoms being dismissed.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That thing’s been bugging on him for a while.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
29 Dec. 2025
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Check the head and base and foot of the bed, peeling back the top sheet to look for evidence on mattress covers, box springs, dust ruffles, and the headboard—and most importantly, the mattress seams and piping because bed bugs like to hide in cracks and crevices.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
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For immigration advocates in the Bay Area, Good’s death has intensified long-standing concerns about intimidation and retaliation against those who monitor federal agents.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The chaos intensified after someone threw a snowball.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aggravate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravate. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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