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Showing results for aggravate. Search instead for aggrav.
Definitions

aggravate

[ag-ruh-veyt] / ˈæg rəˌveɪt /
VERB
annoy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bother irritate provoke
STRONG
bug dog exasperate gall get get on one's nerves grate hack irk nag needle nettle peeve pester pique tease vex
WEAK
be at be on the back of drive up the wall get to give a hard time pick on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid delight help please
STRONG
calm make happy soothe
WEAK
alleviate appease gladden improve mollify relieve soften
VERB
cause to become worse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
complicate deepen exacerbate exaggerate heighten inflame intensify magnify worsen
STRONG
increase mount rise rouse
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm decrease enhance lower minimize play down reduce soothe weaken
STRONG
decline
WEAK
alleviate appease gladden help improve make happy mollify relieve soften

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Higher oil prices, which are already hitting gas stations, airfares and shipping costs, could aggravate all three.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

And people do leave, including the ones Lemon seems to aggravate the most.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2026

For other patients, judgmental remarks from providers aggravate the effects of physical pain by making patients feel ashamed of or even responsible for it.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2025

French winemakers are walking on eggshells at the moment, fearful of saying anything that might aggravate the situation.

From BBC • May 25, 2025

I was peeved enough at Roy Lee to not answer, but then I figured it would aggravate him more to tell the truth.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.