Aggravate

/ˈæɡrəˌveɪt/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To make a situation or condition worse or more severe.

His constant complaints about the noise only seemed to aggravate the tension in the room.

To annoy or irritate someone.

The traffic jams during rush hour always aggravate my stress levels.

To increase the severity or intensity of a problem or disease.

If you don’t follow the doctor's advice, your condition may aggravate.

From Latin 'aggravare', meaning 'to make heavy', from 'ad-' (to) + 'gravis' (heavy).

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.

exacerbate

to make a bad situation worse.

intensify

to make something stronger or more extreme.

compound

to make something worse by adding to it.

To get on someone's nerves.

Stop aggravating me with your endless questions!

To irritate or annoy generally.

That loud music is really aggravating my mood.