How to Use aggravate in a Sentence

aggravate

verb
  • Our neighbors were aggravated by all the noise.
  • A headache can be aggravated by too much exercise.
  • All of these delays really aggravate me.
  • They're afraid that we might aggravate an already bad situation.
  • She aggravated an old knee injury.
  • The symptoms were aggravated by drinking alcohol.
  • Avoid swatting at the bees or flailing your arms, which can aggravate the bees.
    Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2023
  • Try to wear clothing that doesn’t aggravate your flares.
    Bethany Fulton, SELF, 23 July 2021
  • Ready to shop for a body cleanser that won't aggravate your sensitive skin?
    Tamim Alnuweiri, Health.com, 19 Jan. 2022
  • In the Alps, climate activists warn that the more frequent use of snow cannons will aggravate drought.
    Rick Noack, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2023
  • Bad habits like jaw-clenching and tooth-grinding aggravate the joint.
    New York Times, 15 Dec. 2021
  • Do not watch the NBA Finals, which will only aggravate you.
    Bob Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, 3 June 2023
  • Hot water will only aggravate the fibers and, therefore, cause swimwear to stretch out.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2024
  • This action could help to shut down the music or aggravate your neighbor.
    Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 5 June 2024
  • Food inflation, which the war in Ukraine will aggravate, is the sector’s next big hurdle.
    Carol Ryan, WSJ, 4 Mar. 2022
  • The motion may also aggravate existing arthritis at the base of the thumb.
    Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2021
  • This time of year, our skin can feel aggravated by the change in temperature.
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 25 Oct. 2023
  • It's aggravated the disjoint between the way people perceive the world and what the data say.
    Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024
  • The following 10 foods—and drinks—can aggravate UC symptoms.
    Amanda MacMillan, Health, 24 Mar. 2024
  • Soaking longer than 15 minutes can dry your skin and aggravate itching and eczema.
    Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2024
  • My back has never really been the same since, and the constant travel that comes with being on the road always seems to aggravate it.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2024
  • Police said that the child's father was in the passenger seat of the car and was booked on charges of child abuse, endangerment and aggravated DUI.
    Aidan Wohl, The Arizona Republic, 4 Sep. 2023
  • Width Shoes that are too narrow can also aggravate bunions.
    Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 6 Mar. 2023
  • Don’t slam on the brakes, which can only aggravate the situation.
    Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2021
  • Irritation is stirred up when the Aries moon aggravates Mars.
    USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2023
  • Don’t haze or aggravate a calm coyote: If the animal is avoiding humans and pets, leave it alone.
    Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 2 July 2024
  • Don’t haze or aggravate a calm coyote: If the animal is avoiding humans and pets, leave it alone.
    Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 24 May 2024
  • Sasser ended up starting the game but aggravated the injury and didn’t play in the second half.
    The New York Times, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2023
  • But, even with these aggravating factors, did the mere sale of annuities to his clients rise to the level of serious misconduct?
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
  • After having been limited in practice during the week with a hamstring injury, receiver Mike Evans appeared to aggravate it in the first half.
    Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 22 Oct. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aggravate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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