aggravation

noun

ag·​gra·​va·​tion ˌa-grə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce aggravation (audio)
1
: an act or circumstance that intensifies something or makes something worse
His interference was an aggravation of the situation.
2
: the act, action, or result of aggravating something or someone
especially : an increasing in seriousness or severity
aggravation of an injury
3
: irritation, provocation
Her job involves a lot of stress and aggravation.
Common Uses of Aggravate, Aggravation, and Aggravating: Usage Guide

Although aggravate has been used to refer to rousing someone to anger since the 17th century, it has been the object of disapproval only since about 1870. It is used in expository prose

when his silly conceit … about his not-very-good early work has begun to aggravate us William Styron

but seems to be more common in speech and casual writing.

a good profession for him, because bus drivers get aggravated Jackie Gleason, interview, 1986
& now this letter comes to aggravate me a thousand times worse Mark Twain, letter, 1864

The "make worse" meaning is far more common in published prose than the "rouse to anger" meaning. Such is not the case, however, with aggravation and aggravating. Aggravation is used in the "irritation, provocation" sense somewhat more than in its earlier senses; aggravating has practically no use other than to express annoyance.

Examples of aggravation in a Sentence

trying to avoid the aggravation of an existing back problem I don't need all this aggravation. This car has caused me nothing but aggravation. Many talented people now feel that a career in politics isn't worth all the aggravation. I don't need all these aggravations.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Despite some news reports to the contrary, the newest influx of periodic cicadas — the red-eyed, at times comically clumsy aggravation with wings — will not descend upon Maryland in 2025. Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025 This led to the aggravation of the injury, forcing the 31-year-old to sit out the 2025 season after playing The Sentry. Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025 Caregivers also may have sleep difficulty and physical pain, headaches and aggravation of their underlying conditions that pre-existed the caregiver role. Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 Sabonis’ return marred by blowout, possible aggravation Sabonis returned Friday for the first time in six games due to a left hamstring strain. Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aggravation

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin aggravātiōn-, aggravātiō "a weighing down," from Latin aggravāre "to weigh down, aggravate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aggravation was in 1546

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aggravation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aggravation. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

aggravation

noun
ag·​gra·​va·​tion ˌag-rə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce aggravation (audio)
1
: the act or result of aggravating
2
: something that aggravates

More from Merriam-Webster on aggravation

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