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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of aggravating
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
This is even more aggravating given that the previous night, João tried and failed to break things off with her.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Rory McIlroy withdrew from last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational before the third round after aggravating his back during a pre-round workout.
—Justin Ray, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggravating
Adjective
Prosecutors have also signaled the case involves aggravating factors, including the scale of destruction and potential danger to others.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
This is even more aggravating given that the previous night, João tried and failed to break things off with her.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
There might be more than one bench spot to be won on the opening-day roster, as infielder Sung-Mun Song has not swung a bat since aggravating a right oblique strain on Sunday.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Rory McIlroy withdrew from last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational before the third round after aggravating his back during a pre-round workout.
—Justin Ray, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggravating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravating
Adjective
-
At the same time, workplace politics could feel extra stressful and annoying, especially if someone becomes threatened by your confidence.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
-
The predatory add-ons were annoying.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Valve’s timing also coincided with a tenuous time for Windows, when Microsoft was asking users to move from Windows 10 to Windows 11, an OS with a reputation for being irritating and having higher system requirements.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
1 May 2026
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Strong gusts of wind disperse the pollen and mold, irritating lungs.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Local officials are hopeful the money can help prevent future upticks in land movement and, ideally, formalize a new pathway for additional federal funding to address the city’s ongoing hazards and worsening budget crisis.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Two other sloths, Habanero and Bandit, also died because of their condition worsening after being rescued by the zoo.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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At a time when air travel can often feel routine if not outright frustrating, inaugural flights can be reminiscent of an era where every trip was more of a special event.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, Madrid’s two Englishmen were having frustrating evenings.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Try taking 10 to 15 minutes each day to write out what's bothering you.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
2 May 2026
-
Yusei Kikuchi said throwing fastballs was bothering him again, so the Los Angeles Angels pitcher left Wednesday's 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox after two innings with left shoulder tightness.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tensions around this trade are deepening – playing out against a backdrop in which Beijing seeks stability in its relationship with the US, but also holds close economic and diplomatic ties with Iran.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
-
While one-person shows are often built to showcase an actor’s shape-shifting skills, Lowe’s script, Meltzer’s direction and Rosenberg’s performance use the many supporting characters as a means of deepening Moses’ story.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Fetish camboy Aaron Eagle (Kieron Moore) agrees to spend the night with an anonymous client, only to discover a disturbing tie to his past.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
10 May 2026
-
In the spring of 2018, federal prosecutors arrested both Raniere and Mack (along with four other individuals) and leveled disturbing accusations against the pair.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Although pest control companies offer lethal solutions such as carpenter bee traps or chemical treatments, the best way to keep carpenter bees from bugging you is using stained, sealed, varnished or treated wood in building projects.—
Sarah Linn
April 24,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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So, all the things people were yelling about with Southwest weren’t bugging me.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aggravating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravating. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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