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
Lisa Falco, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2025
Maher said a person’s legal status has never been used as an aggravating factor in death penalty cases.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker’s office filed a notice with the court saying the state will prove there are aggravating circumstances sufficient to warrant the death penalty.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for aggravating
Adjective
Concerns ranged from retrograde menstruation in microgravity causing or aggravating endometriosis, the potential for menstrual products to clog toilet filters, and the inappropriateness of space equipment designed exclusively for men.
—Lisa Falco, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2025
Maher said a person’s legal status has never been used as an aggravating factor in death penalty cases.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
But one of the main drivers of lung-aggravating smog may be right underneath our feet, according to new research.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker’s office filed a notice with the court saying the state will prove there are aggravating circumstances sufficient to warrant the death penalty.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for aggravating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravating
Adjective
-
Other non-native ephemerals, such as lesser celandine, are more annoying and more recent arrivals.—
Carl R. Gold,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2025
-
Going on a first date while an unnamed, unseen troll pings you personal memes that escalate from annoying to homicidal?—
Charley Ross,
Glamour,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Cover irritating clothing seams with a smooth material such as silk to avoid abrasive irritation.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
5 Jan. 2025
-
At Abercrombie & Fitch Packed with conditioning and hydrating castor oil, argan oil & coconut oil, this eyelash & brow growth serum will help promote the appearance of longer, fuller looking lashes and brows without the use of irritating or harmful ingredients.—
refinery29.com,
refinery29.com,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Highly flammable tamarisk shrubs have taken root in thick stands near streams in the western US, and eucalyptus — one of the primary invasive trees blamed for worsening Chile’s recent wildfires as well as fires in Portugal — increases wildfire risk in California.—
Kylie Mohr,
Vox,
8 Jan. 2025
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The United States withdrew its forces from Europe while demanding debt payments from allies, who passed the costs on to Germany, worsening its financial turmoil and hastening its slide into Nazism.—
Michael Beckley,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Perhaps most frustrating for affected users is the lack of clear, timely communication.—
Alex Vakulov,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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For a less frustrating mowing experience, have mower blades sharpened.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Rodin Cars The big idea behind Rodin is to build cars without bothering about vehicle regulations – in stark contrast to F1 cars, which are subject to several rules around how they're put together.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Jan. 2025
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The city and state have also been ramping up efforts to engage troubled vagrants sleeping and sometimes bothering straphangers, connecting them with services and shelter and potentially involuntary treatment.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Many of their veterans are in deepening slumps at the wrong time.—
Anthony Slater,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Despairing of his father’s physical decline and deepening depression, Filip and his friend and co-director Fredrik Wikingsson (the pair are popular TV personalities in Sweden) conspire to get the old man out of the house and on the road – to France.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Other times, Claude’s mental activity seems super disturbing and maybe even dangerous.—
Steven Levy,
Wired News,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Just as disturbing and bizarre, at least one juror originally didn’t want to convict Zeigler at all and didn’t vote to do so until after that same judge ordered the bailiff to give her a Valium.—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aggravating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravating. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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