aggravation

noun

ˌa-grə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce aggravation (audio)
Definition of aggravationnext
1
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation a reminder designed to prevent the aggravation of phones ringing during movies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in harassment
the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another the neighbors' constant aggravations prompted us to move out of town

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in frustration
the feeling of impatience or anger caused by another's repeated disagreeable acts informed her children that she didn't need the extra aggravation of hearing them fight in the back seat while they were stuck in traffic

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 aggravation Starkey was particularly concerned because his wife had recently had spinal surgery and a wreck or further aggravation could be catastrophic. — Scott Butler, Florida Times-Union, 8 May 2026 Brandon Ingram had a nightmare series before the aggravation of a heel injury ended his series in the second quarter of Game 5. — Eric Koreen, New York Times, 4 May 2026 And there’s no end in sight to the hazards and aggravation. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026 McAfee’s appearance on SmackDown and his late entrance into the rivalry with a few weeks to go before WrestleMania 42, sparked aggravation from pro wrestling fans on social media. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aggravation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravation
  1. headache
  2. harassment
  3. frustration
  4. nuisance
  5. disturbance
  6. irritation
  7. annoyance
  8. exasperation
Noun
  • Around one in 13 people experience recurring morning headaches, research suggests, with women and those between the ages of 45 and 64 more likely to have them.
    — Kathleen Felton, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
  • As body temperature rises and humidity limits the body’s ability to cool itself, mild symptoms such as cramps and headaches can progress to shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and ultimately life-threatening heat stroke.
    — Laura Schifter, Time, 17 July 2026
Definition of headache
Noun
  • There are limits to the response that the accused can make in response to claims of harassment.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
  • The progressive recruiters questioned whether the harassment complaint was true, this person added, and Williams denied it.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of harassment
Noun
  • That is why there has been such a deluge of anger and frustration from the public, even more than from the tournament exits under Southgate.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • In a Thursday episode of The Ben Shapiro Show, Shapiro hit Vance particularly over his comments on the latter topic and his views on Americans’ frustration with the country’s economic system over the past few decades.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 17 July 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • These seemingly minor nuisances are becoming a drain on municipal resources and complicating the rollout of robotaxi service.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
  • Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 19, was widely expected to plead guilty to charges of mischief and public nuisance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
Definition of nuisance
Noun
  • The untethered AUVs hover above the seabed instead of dragging equipment across it, reducing sediment disturbance and limiting ecosystem disruption.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026
  • The Saharan Air Layer can suppress thunderstorm development and increase atmospheric stability across parts of the tropical Atlantic, temporarily reducing the odds that disturbances develop into tropical storms or hurricanes.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 14 July 2026
Definition of disturbance
Noun
  • Invest in Personalized Treatments The sun can be incredibly stressful on your scalp, causing dryness, irritation and buildup that can ultimately affect the health of your hair.
    — Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026
  • Formulas that contain a high percentage of salicylic acid are always too strong for me, ripping through my skin’s barrier and causing more breakouts and irritation.
    — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 18 July 2026
Definition of irritation
Noun
  • By every ordinary rule of public life, the South Station scene should have induced annoyance or caused embarrassment.
    — Julia Dhar, Time, 11 July 2026
  • The annoyance economy is a catch-all term referring to a slew of frustrating business practices that waste our time and money.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 7 July 2026
Definition of annoyance
Noun
  • The implosion of Platner’s candidacy—first bit by bit and then all at once—has Democrats nationwide throwing up their hands in exasperation.
    — Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026
  • At a certain point, the admiration for Paraguay’s underdog defiance and spoiling strategy gave way to exasperation.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of exasperation

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Cite this Entry

“Aggravation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravation. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of aggravation for Spanish Speakers

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