as in annoying
causing annoyance
there's nothing so aggravating as a blaring car alarm that no one is paying any attention to
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in irritating
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in worsening
to make more severe
overheated rhetoric that only aggravated an already tense situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aggravating
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The judge addressed the victim’s family before delivering the verdict, Chang said, and after reading a lengthy record of findings and aggravating factors, the judge sentenced Narag.
—Aldo Toledo, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Mar. 2026
Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Quinonez has missed four straight games since aggravating a shoulder injury that previously kept her out of two games in November.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggravating
Adjective
Prosecutors have identified two aggravating factors that could make Lee eligible for the death penalty, Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp told the court.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The judge addressed the victim’s family before delivering the verdict, Chang said, and after reading a lengthy record of findings and aggravating factors, the judge sentenced Narag.
—Aldo Toledo, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
But the standoff is also aggravating a humanitarian crisis already unfolding on the island.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Quinonez has missed four straight games since aggravating a shoulder injury that previously kept her out of two games in November.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aggravating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravating
Adjective
-
Each individual increase feels tolerable – annoying, maybe, but not catastrophic.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The consequences of all this information range from mildly annoying to very serious.—
Larry Magid,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While it’s powered by retinol, an ingredient known to be irritating, this treats my under-eye with care.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The choice to portray her as irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate was no accident.—
Leigh Blickley,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The goal is to facilitate talks and secure an easing of the White House pressure campaign to isolate Cuba through a de facto oil blockade that is causing crippling fuel shortages and worsening blackouts, according to several people familiar with the talks.—
Anthony Faiola,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
But by the evening, lawmakers were still struggling to reach an agreement to end the impasse, even as many viewed the worsening situation at the nation's airports as untenable.—
Sam Gringlas,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Instead of posing questions about geography or world affairs, the test asked him to tackle hypothetical situations, from the frustrating to the dangerous.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Travelers said the long lines have been frustrating and are looking forward to TSA officers getting paid again.—
Eva Andersen,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Why are two players whose college careers, at the moment, are over bothering to put their names out there for other programs to see?—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Throughout the day, jot down any worries that are bothering you, particularly the ones that keep popping up.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, the company is deepening its integration of artificial intelligence.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The latest data was published in the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce’s yearly economic indicators report, which offered an overall bleak picture of the Bay Area economy, including declining buying power among residents and deepening office vacancies in the city.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Most disturbing, the largest net loss of IRS filers continues to be among young adults.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
So, yes, Reingold’s story identified some disturbing failures.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
So, all the things people were yelling about with Southwest weren’t bugging me.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
-
But so much of my journalism has been about something that’s bugging me.—
Jack Denton,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aggravating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravating. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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