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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of aggravating
Breanne L. Heldman, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2024
In fact, veteran Australian Broadcasting Corporation journalist and host Sarah Ferguson has rated Affleck as one of the most aggravating famous people she’s ever interviewed, according to the Daily Mail.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2024
Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Airborne dust poses the risk of aggravating respiratory diseases.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for aggravating 
Adjective
That wish becomes more difficult when Dalton, the sponsor’s handsome but aggravating son, becomes her partner and his modern ideas clash with Zoey’s more traditional vision.
—Breanne L. Heldman, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2024
In fact, veteran Australian Broadcasting Corporation journalist and host Sarah Ferguson has rated Affleck as one of the most aggravating famous people she’s ever interviewed, according to the Daily Mail.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2024
Verb
That could cause lower crop yields and water shortages, aggravating global hunger.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Airborne dust poses the risk of aggravating respiratory diseases.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for aggravating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravating
Adjective
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This is expected on hybrids, battery-electric vehicles and plug-ins as the brakes first must work through the regenerative motion, but this can become annoying with a traditional setup.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
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All those annoying texts and calls should stop after today.Carl Weiser, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The ingredient releases gradually overnight to restore elasticity, even out the skin tone, and minimize the appearance of wrinkles without irritating the skin.Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2024
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Experts recommend looking for ingredients that are gentle yet effective—and avoiding harsh chemicals (like sulfates and parabens), heavy fragrances (like synthetic fragrances), or overly abrasive particles, since these things can all be irritating to the scalp.Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 3 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Severe heat is expected to continue worsening as a result of climate change, with a wealth of studies showing that as the planet warms, heat waves are becoming more likely, more intense and longer-lasting.Denise Chow, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024
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Scientists worldwide believe that the use of fossil fuels is worsening the greenhouse effect, leading to intense warming, extreme climate events, and longer dry spells.Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Kody quickly came to Robyn’s defense, further frustrating Janelle.Liza Esquibias, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
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Not all of these ideas will pan out, but if any do, the next few years could bring an inflection point in treating some of the most frustrating and intractable diseases of our modern era.Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Is the trend of sales taking a route that is bothering you?Hitendra Patil, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
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In many cases, states have stopped bothering to make legal justifications at all, the Human Rights Committee report warned.Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Hostilities between the two Korean leaders have been simmering this year as North Korea has appeared to have intensified its nuclear production efforts and strengthened ties with Russia, deepening widespread concern in the West over the isolated nation’s direction.Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 4 Oct. 2024
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Accountability makes for meaningful action Business sustainability requires persistence, consistency, and deepening of effort as interim goals are met, new processes are codified, and a level of competency and skill is achieved.Kate Gaertner, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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The issue is complicated by the fact that those on X likely see Musk's posts with almost disturbing regularity.Peter Suciu, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
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Hammer’s talent agency, WME, drops him. March 11, 2021: Vanity Fair publishes a bizarre bombshell article on the Hammer family, outlining Hammer’s upbringing in the Cayman Islands and revealing multiple disturbing details about his relatives.Lydia Wang, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near aggravating
Cite this Entry
“Aggravating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravating. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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