aggravate

verb

ag·​gra·​vate ˈa-grə-ˌvāt 

aggravated; aggravating; aggravates

transitive verb

1

: to make (something) worse, more serious, or more severe : to intensify (something) unpleasantly

His back injury was aggravated by too much exercise.

They're afraid that we might aggravate an already bad situation.

2

a

informal : to make (someone) angry or irritated especially by bothering again and again

The neighbors were aggravated by the noise from the construction.

I'm so silly with my daughter, I think it aggravates her at this point.

—Amy Adams

b

: to produce inflammation in (a part of the body) : irritate

… contact wearers may be especially vulnerable to pollen or other irritants that can aggravate the eyes …

—Jessica Rendall

3

obsolete

a

: burden

b

: increase

Usage of Aggravate, Aggravated, Aggravating, and Aggravation

Aggravate can mean both "to make worse or more serious" and "to make angry or irritated especially by bothering again and again," but writers for most of the 20th century were advised against the latter, and this meaning is still not encountered frequently in formal contexts. Likewise, the meanings of aggravated, aggravating, and aggravation that relate to anger or irritation are most at home in informal use.

Synonyms of aggravate

• annoy
• irritate
• bother
• bug
• persecute

Examples of aggravate in a Sentence

She aggravated an old knee injury.

They're afraid that we might aggravate an already bad situation.

A headache can be aggravated by too much exercise.

The symptoms were aggravated by drinking alcohol.

All of these delays really aggravate me.

Our neighbors were aggravated by all the noise.

Recent Examples on the Web

Health officials warn the fine particles in wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs, aggravate heart and respiratory conditions, and pose the greatest risks to children, older adults, people with underlying health conditions and animals. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke can cause shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness or fatigue and aggravate heart and lung diseases and other chronic health issues. — ABC News, 15 July 2026

These dangers are aggravated by the widespread use of methamphetamine. — Josh Katz, New York Times, 15 July 2026

The minuscule particles can lead to breathing problems like bronchitis and cause inflammation that aggravates diabetes, heart disease and other health conditions. — Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin aggravātus, past participle of aggravāre "to weigh down, burden, oppress, make worse," from ad- ad- + gravāre "to make heavy, oppress, weigh heavily upon," verbal derivative of gravis "heavy" — more at grave entry 2

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Rhymes for aggravate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate
• annotate

Kids Definition

aggravate

verb

ag·​gra·​vate ˈag-rə-ˌvāt 

aggravated; aggravating

1

: to make more serious or severe

aggravate an injury

2

: to make angry by bothering again and again

Etymology

from Latin aggravare "to make heavier," from ad- "to" and gravare "to burden," from gravis "heavy" — related to grave entry 3, gravity, grieve

Medical Definition

aggravate

transitive verb

ag·​gra·​vate ˈag-rə-ˌvāt 

aggravated; aggravating

1

: to make worse, more serious, or more severe

movement may aggravate the pain

2

: to produce inflammation in : irritate

surgery aggravated the nerve

Legal Definition

aggravate

transitive verb

ag·​gra·​vate ˈa-grə-ˌvāt 

aggravated; aggravating

: to make more serious, more severe, or worse

maliciousness aggravated the offense

aggravating factors

compare mitigate

aggravation

ˌa-grə-ˈvā-shən 

noun