1
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
it really aggravates me when I arrive 10 minutes before the stated closing time, and the store's closed already
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aggravate
Kaitlynn Dominick has been charged with manslaughter and aggravated child abuse over the death of her child, who died at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital on May 5, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) said in a news release.
—
Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
The exact charges will depend on the facts of the case, but they could be charged with DUI, aggravated DUI, or intoxication manslaughter.
—Idaho Statesman, 26 May 2026
If inhaled at high levels, fumes can aggravate a person’s lungs, causing coughing, wheezing and chest tightness.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
Wasps will become aggravated if their nest is disturbed, so it's not recommended to knock down the nest.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
The exact charges will depend on the facts of the case, but they could be charged with DUI, aggravated DUI, or intoxication manslaughter.
—Idaho Statesman, 26 May 2026
If inhaled at high levels, fumes can aggravate a person’s lungs, causing coughing, wheezing and chest tightness.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
Wasps will become aggravated if their nest is disturbed, so it's not recommended to knock down the nest.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravate
Verb
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Ever been annoyed after Windows setup that your user folder has a weird name?—
Jon Martindale,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2026
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The suspension is a nice blend between comfort and sport—the sweet spot where breaks in the asphalt don’t annoy, yet body roll never feels excessive.—
Michael Harley,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Several years ago, during a medical emergency of my own, I had already been evaluated by a physician and advised to seek emergency care if my symptoms worsened.—
Iyesatta Massaquoi Emeli,
STAT,
2 June 2026
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This is every summer, right now, for the 200,000 people who live here — a public health emergency that is worsening with the global climate crisis and exacerbated even further by an onslaught of irresponsible development.—
Daniela Flores,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
Verb
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It is expected that Mourinho will try to tighten control over leaks concerning internal dressing-room matters, something that has irritated the club this season — and which Alonso sought to tackle.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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Key Points Cayenne pepper can deter squirrels by irritating their senses without causing harm.—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
28 May 2026
Verb
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As these political divides deepen, observers doubt the election’s credibility.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
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Cultural and political divides deepen in the community, and even within the same household, when a woman brings a single migrant woman into her home.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Verb
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This was a club that embraced African players before much of Europe bothered to scout the continent seriously.—
Zohran Mamdani,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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In my dream world where Emmys voters bother to watch Bait, Khan is a shoo-in.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Her feeling was exacerbated by the death of her father in 1991, and as well as one of her friends, who passed suddenly from cancer.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
2 June 2026
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The federal government and the city’s creditors had demanded budget cuts, which in turn exacerbated the already squalid conditions around the city.—
Kevin Lozano,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Verb
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His doctor had been bugging him for years to get a colonoscopy because of his age, but Driggers declined.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
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Get clear about what’s bugging you.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
Verb
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As climate pressures intensify, biodiversity shrinks and consumers demand more transparency, the push to preserve older grain varieties and livestock breeds is reshaping what shows up in grocery aisles and on restaurant menus.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
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Climate models predict a continued, long-term decline of snowpack as the effects of climate change intensify.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aggravate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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