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
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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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of aggravating
David Noriega, NBC News, 17 Dec. 2024
One aggravating aspect was how Nagy used his timeouts in the second half.
—Adam Jahns, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024
Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker’s office filed a notice with the court saying the state will prove there are aggravating circumstances sufficient to warrant the death penalty.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for aggravating 
Adjective
Mandatory minimum sentences for migrant smuggling as a stand-alone offense are relatively low compared to similar offenses like drug smuggling, but these aggravating factors allow prosecutors to seek harsher punishments.
—David Noriega, NBC News, 17 Dec. 2024
One aggravating aspect was how Nagy used his timeouts in the second half.
—Adam Jahns, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
But one of the main drivers of lung-aggravating smog may be right underneath our feet, according to new research.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker’s office filed a notice with the court saying the state will prove there are aggravating circumstances sufficient to warrant the death penalty.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for aggravating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravating
Adjective
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In an attempt to hang loose with the gang at a PMF, you may be exposed to gossipy whispers about the foibles, secrets or annoying idiosyncrasies of fellow execs or co-workers.Dr. David Lenihan, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
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And Jamie still refuses to apologize for any of the violence, which is very annoying.Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Cover irritating clothing seams with a smooth material such as silk to avoid abrasive irritation.Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 5 Jan. 2025
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At Abercrombie & Fitch Packed with conditioning and hydrating castor oil, argan oil & coconut oil, this eyelash & brow growth serum will help promote the appearance of longer, fuller looking lashes and brows without the use of irritating or harmful ingredients.refinery29.com, refinery29.com, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Highly flammable tamarisk shrubs have taken root in thick stands near streams in the western US, and eucalyptus — one of the primary invasive trees blamed for worsening Chile’s recent wildfires as well as fires in Portugal — increases wildfire risk in California.Kylie Mohr, Vox, 8 Jan. 2025
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The stagnation of major economies is worsening the situation.Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But the more immediately frustrating part is that the new remote doesn’t have a dedicated button for switching input modes, as previous remotes from LG and countless other remotes do.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 9 Jan. 2025
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As any good leader will tell you, leading is inevitably frustrating and emotionally demanding.Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Rodin Cars The big idea behind Rodin is to build cars without bothering about vehicle regulations – in stark contrast to F1 cars, which are subject to several rules around how they're put together.New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Jan. 2025
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The city and state have also been ramping up efforts to engage troubled vagrants sleeping and sometimes bothering straphangers, connecting them with services and shelter and potentially involuntary treatment.New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Many of their veterans are in deepening slumps at the wrong time.Anthony Slater, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
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Despairing of his father’s physical decline and deepening depression, Filip and his friend and co-director Fredrik Wikingsson (the pair are popular TV personalities in Sweden) conspire to get the old man out of the house and on the road – to France.Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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That righteous, above-the-law mentality takes hold of him during a crucial moment late in the disturbing case.Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Dec. 2024
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Warning: Some of the following images are graphic in nature and might be disturbing to some viewers.TIME Photo Department, TIME, 30 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near aggravating
Cite this Entry
“Aggravating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravating. Accessed 16 Jan. 2025.
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