Aggravate: meaning, definitions and examples
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aggravate
[ ˈæɡ.rə.veɪt ]
in a negative way
To make a situation or problem worse, especially by making someone feel angry or annoyed.
Synonyms
annoy, exasperate, irritate, provoke
Examples of usage
- His rude comments only served to aggravate an already tense situation.
- The noise from the construction site aggravated her headache even more.
medical
To make a medical condition worse or more severe.
Synonyms
complicate, exacerbate, worsen
Examples of usage
- Lack of sleep can aggravate existing health issues.
- Smoking can aggravate respiratory problems.
Translations
Translations of the word "aggravate" in other languages:
🇵🇹 agravar
🇮🇳 बिगाड़ना
🇩🇪 verschlimmern
🇮🇩 memperburuk
🇺🇦 загострювати
🇵🇱 pogarszać
🇯🇵 悪化させる (あっかさせる)
🇫🇷 aggraver
🇪🇸 agravar
🇹🇷 ağırlaştırmak
🇰🇷 악화시키다
🇸🇦 يزداد سوءًا
🇨🇿 zhoršit
🇸🇰 zhoršiť
🇨🇳 加重 (jiāzhòng)
🇸🇮 poslabšati
🇮🇸 versna
🇰🇿 нашарлау
🇬🇪 გართულება
🇦🇿 pisləşdirmək
🇲🇽 agravar
Etymology
The word 'aggravate' originated from the Latin word 'aggravātus', which means 'to make heavier'. In English, the word initially meant 'to make heavy or burdensome'. Over time, its meaning evolved to include the sense of making a situation or problem worse, especially by making someone feel angry or annoyed. The use of 'aggravate' in a medical context to describe the worsening of a condition also developed later.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #16,726, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.
- ...
- 16723 notations
- 16724 remunerative
- 16725 unkind
- 16726 aggravate
- 16727 encircling
- 16728 contemplative
- 16729 outrages
- ...