Synonyms of aggravation

aggravation

noun

ˌa-grə-ˈvā-shən 

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

• headache
• frustration
• nuisance
• annoyance
• inconvenience
• thorn
• worry
• irritant
• problem
• exasperation
• vexation
• irk
• rub
• hassle
• discomfort
• trial
• bugbear
• pest
• bother
• insult
• peeve
• menace
• hair shirt
• botheration
• burden
• anxiety
• trouble
• ruffle
• predicament
• curse
• aggro
• affront
• plague
• upset
• plight
• offender
• pinprick
• tribulation
• sore
• offense
• albatross
• disturber
• fleabite
• cross
• millstone
• pet peeve
• annoyer
• mischief
• affliction
• harasser
• hang-up
• pandora's box

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasure
• joy
• delight

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

• harassment
• disturbance
• annoyance
• bothering
• bugging
• teasing
• vexation
• torture
• pestering
• botheration
• bedevilment
• persecution
• importunity
• harrying
• torment
• provocation
• molestation
• offense
• mischief
• devilment
• aggro
• devilry

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

• frustration
• irritation
• exasperation
• annoyance
• grief
• displeasure
• anger
• discomfort
• vexation
• trouble
• bother
• indignation
• agitation
• distress
• irritability
• botheration
• pip
• outrage
• upset
• disturbance
• resentment
• aggro
• perturbation
• irritableness
• pet
• pique
• ire
• umbrage
• angriness
• dander
• snappishness
• gall
• peeve
• dudgeon
• huff
• irateness
• chafe

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasure
• delight

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of aggravation

So much talk about his ankle this offseason, but an aggravation there obviously isn’t the only issue that could cost him time over a long season. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 July 2026

Depressed dads are more prone to expressing aggravation, annoyance or even rage, Daniel Singley, a psychologist who founded a therapy center for men, said to the Times. — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 27 June 2026

Planning ahead could save you money and aggravation. — Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026

And once Betts felt comfortable swinging a bat without risking aggravation, his hitting ramp-up was swift. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026