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Aggravate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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aggravate

ag-gra-vate

🇺🇸 /ˈæɡɹəˌveɪt/ · 🇬🇧 /ˈæɡɹɐvˌeɪt/

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

in a negative way

To make a situation or problem worse, especially by making someone feel angry or annoyed.

Synonyms

annoy, exasperate, irritate, provoke.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
aggravate

Generally used to describe making a situation worse or increasing the severity of something negative, often relating to problems or conditions.

  • Scratching the rash will only aggravate it.
  • His lies aggravated the already tense situation.
irritate

Often used for things that cause a physical or emotional discomfort. It implies a continuous and bothersome feeling.

  • Wearing wool can irritate your skin.
  • The constant humming noise irritates me.
provoke

Usually used to describe actions that deliberately cause a strong emotional response, particularly anger or annoyance.

  • He was trying to provoke a reaction from her.
  • The rude comment provoked an outburst from the audience.
annoy

Used when someone or something causes mild irritation or bothers someone to a lesser degree. It does not usually imply something extremely severe.

  • The loud music from the neighbors starts to annoy me.
  • Repeatedly clicking a pen can annoy people around you.
exasperate

Describes actions or situations that cause intense irritation and frustration, often leading to anger. It is usually more intense than merely annoying.

  • Her constant lateness exasperates her colleagues.
  • The long delay at the airport exasperated the passengers.

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.
Context #2 | Verb

medical

To make a medical condition worse or more severe.

Synonyms

complicate, exacerbate, worsen.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
aggravate

Use when talking about making a situation or condition worse, often through irritation or annoyance. It can refer to both physical conditions and emotional states, and sometimes it carries a negative tone.

  • The loud construction noise aggravated her headache.
  • His constant complaints aggravated the whole team.
exacerbate

Use in more formal or serious contexts when describing actions or factors that make a problematic situation or condition significantly worse. This word often appears in medical, economic, or environmental issues.

  • His refusal to take medicine exacerbated his illness.
  • Climate change exacerbates natural disasters.
worsen

Use when simply referring to a situation or condition becoming worse. This word is neutral and straightforward, without the additional connotations of irritation or complexity.

  • Her symptoms began to worsen over time.
  • The relationship between the two countries worsened after the incident.
complicate

Use when referring to making a situation more difficult or complex, often through adding additional elements or factors. It does not necessarily have a negative connotation but highlights an increase in difficulty.

  • Introducing new rules will complicate the project timeline.
  • Her unexpected visit complicated our plans for the evening.

Examples of usage

  • Lack of sleep can aggravate existing health issues.
  • Smoking can aggravate respiratory problems.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “aggravate”

Aggravate is a 3-syllable verb (ag-gra-vate). It is pronounced /ˈæɡɹəˌveɪt/ in American English and /ˈæɡɹɐvˌeɪt/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 7 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #16,726 among the most common English words.

Did you know?

“aggravate” in psychology

  • Research indicates that being consistently aggravated can lead to elevated stress levels, impacting mental health.
  • People often resort to coping strategies, like humor or distraction, to manage feelings of aggravation.
  • Understanding triggers that aggravate individuals can be key in conflict resolution and improving communication.

“aggravate” in pop culture

  • In cartoons, characters often display exaggerated reactions to aggravating situations, highlighting the humorous side of frustration.
  • Popular songs sometimes explore themes of aggravation and annoyance, resonating with listeners’ personal experiences.
  • Television shows frequently use characters who are always agitated to add comedic tension.

“aggravate” in literature

  • Many literary works feature characters whose aggravations lead to pivotal plot developments, illustrating human emotion.
  • Classic novels often delve into the reasons behind a character's aggravation, exploring deep psychological insights.
  • The theme of aggravation is common in comedies, where misunderstandings lead to witty exchanges and humorous outcomes.

“aggravate” in science

  • Studies have found that certain noises, like loud sirens or repetitive sounds, can aggravate stress responses in humans.
  • Environmental factors, such as overcrowding or pollution, have been shown to aggravate health issues in urban populations.
  • Understanding how aggravation affects behavior can help in designing better public spaces and reducing conflict.

Origin of 'aggravate'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'aggravare', which means 'to make heavy' or 'to burden', blending 'ad-' meaning 'to' and 'gravis' meaning 'heavy'.
  • It entered the English language in the late 14th century, originally used in a legal context to describe making a crime worse.
  • Over time, the meaning shifted to include causing annoyance or irritation.

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.