1
as in to annoy
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
Relevance
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 aggravate
In keeping with its tendency to defer to leftwing activists at the risk of aggravating the broader public, the Biden administration did away with Trump’s executive orders governing water flow rates.
—
The Editors, National Review, 11 Apr. 2025
She was charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failure to yield to a red light and speeding, cops said.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2025
Second baseman Gleyber Torres rested his sore ribs on Saturday after aggravating the area with a home-run swing the previous day.
—Joe Guillen, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
She was later arrested, charged with murder, torture, child endangerment and aggravated mayhem, and ordered to be held without bail.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
The Editors, National Review, 11 Apr. 2025
She was charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failure to yield to a red light and speeding, cops said.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2025
Second baseman Gleyber Torres rested his sore ribs on Saturday after aggravating the area with a home-run swing the previous day.
—Joe Guillen, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
She was later arrested, charged with murder, torture, child endangerment and aggravated mayhem, and ordered to be held without bail.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravate
Verb
-
Seiders, 44, is charged with felony child pornography possession, misdemeanor annoying a child under 18, concealing a camera with intent to invade privacy and attempting to conceal a camera.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
-
What annoyed me was good old-fashioned stupid gameplay.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The administration’s threat of tariffs on pharmaceuticals risks political backlash, worsening drug shortages and future battles over who pays.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Additionally, 92% of workers are concerned about a potential recession, and 52% foresee burnout rates worsening this year.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Pairing some active ingredients can irritate the skin, and other combinations may reduce the effectiveness of the ingredients.1 1.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
18 Apr. 2025
-
This can be particularly irritating to eczema-prone skin.—
Sierra Leone Starks,
Allure,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Research from psychologists Robert Emmons and Philip Watkins shows that gratitude, especially in moments of hardship, strengthens our emotional well-being and deepens our connections.—
Colin Bedell,
Them.,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The intricate tensions of their relationships are deepened by evocations of the past—including their forebears’ tragic resistance to enslavement—and of enduring African traditions.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow was popular enough that fans wanted a solo story, but the studio didn't bother to make it until her character was already dead in the major timeline, then skipped the theatrical release, which Johansson sued them about.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
19 Apr. 2025
-
So much so that Gillaspie didn’t bother to even grab a towel last summer when a pitching coach yelled into the visiting showers to alert him that Triple-A El Paso manager Pete Zamora needed to see him.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
With interest rates remaining elevated, carrying a credit card balance has become even more costly, exacerbating financial hardship.—
Einat Steklov,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
-
But fake service dogs are taking a bite out of real service dogs’ credibility, exacerbating the challenges that people with disabilities who rely on service animals already face, advocates say.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Aaron Boone said Bellinger’s back started bugging him during Thursday’s game against the Diamondbacks.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Ralph Macchio on the one thing that still bugs him about Karate Kid Part II My Cousin Vinny tells the story of three bombastic Italian-Americans caught up in an over-the-top legal drama.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Patterson’s departure likely will intensify UM’s efforts to find a starting caliber safety in the portal.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2025
-
In this context of uncertainty, competition intensifies on entry and middle market watches.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggravate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravate. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share