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
Relevance
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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of aggravating
Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 25 Nov. 2025
Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said prosecutors on Friday morning filed notices of aggravating circumstances against Kourtney Eutsey and Sarah Shipley in the death of Renesmay Eutsey.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 9 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
See All Example Sentences for aggravating
Adjective
The state of Missouri has a list of statutory aggravating circumstances that must be present before pursuing the death penalty.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 25 Nov. 2025
Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said prosecutors on Friday morning filed notices of aggravating circumstances against Kourtney Eutsey and Sarah Shipley in the death of Renesmay Eutsey.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
Verb
Ahead of the front, temperatures surged into the 80s, breaking daily heat records over the past two days, while breezy conditions spread a haze of cedar pollen across Austin, aggravating seasonal allergies for many residents.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 9 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
See All Example Sentences for aggravating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravating
Adjective
-
Garlic supplements and dietary garlic can have health benefits, and a few annoying side effects, like bad breath and stomach upset.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Patriots’ fans view Sunday as an annoying calisthenic, if not a joke.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Passive aggression can be irritating.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Is the air in your home feeling stuffy, dusty, or irritating?—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Oil revenue is a key part of Russia's economy, allowing President Vladimir Putin to pour money into the war effort against Ukraine without worsening inflation and avoiding a currency collapse.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
-
In December in San Francisco, hundreds of Waymo vehicles stalled in traffic amid a power outage, worsening the resulting chaos.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The redshirt senior quarterback is the crown jewel of the Knights’ 2026 transfer class, bringing with him the hope of improvement from a frustrating 5-7 season in 2025.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens sees expanding MARTA into Cobb and Gwinnett counties as a key step toward better regional connection, while metro Atlanta residents continue to struggle with traffic congestion that’s both frustrating and dangerous.—
Riley Bunch,
AJC.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Is a man bothering you at a bar?—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
-
If the plaintiff can get the information from, say, an SEC filing, then the plaintiff must go that route instead of bothering the speaker.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The one-day workshop brings together Phambassadors for speaker sessions, storytelling workshops and community-building — all in the name of deepening the Philly love.—
Nikki DeMentri,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Born Again is a worthy follow-up to its original series, deepening its themes of corruption and justice with Cox and D'Onofrio continuing to deliver committed performances.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
According to The Marshall Project, federal officers fired on at least nine people in their vehicles over a four-month period, evidence of a disturbing pattern.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Zhang was quickly identified as a suspect based on her allegedly increasingly disturbing behavior, according to authorities.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That thing’s been bugging on him for a while.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Then Julian dropped one of his wireless earbuds into Olympia’s purse, using it as a crude bugging device.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggravating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravating. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
