Meaning & Definition of word "Aggravate"
to
Aggravate
/ˈæɡrəˌveɪt/
verb:
- 1. To make a situation or condition worse or more severe.
- Example: His constant complaints about the noise only seemed to aggravate the tension in the room.
- 2. To annoy or irritate someone.
- Example: The traffic jams during rush hour always aggravate my stress levels.
- 3. To increase the severity or intensity of a problem or disease.
- Example: If you don’t follow the doctor's advice, your condition may aggravate.
Etymology
From Latin 'aggravare', meaning 'to make heavy', from 'ad-' (to) + 'gravis' (heavy).
Common Phrases and Expressions
aggravate one's situation:
to make one's circumstances worse.
aggravate the issue:
to complicate or worsen a problem.
it's aggravating:
it is annoying or frustrating.
Related Words
exacerbate:
to make a bad situation worse.
intensify:
to make something stronger or more extreme.
compound:
to make something worse by adding to it.
Slang Meanings of aggravate
Meaning: To get on someone's nerves.
Example Sentence: Stop aggravating me with your endless questions!
Meaning: To irritate or annoy generally.
Example Sentence: That loud music is really aggravating my mood.