aggravate
verb
Amy AdamsJessica Rendall
Common Uses of Aggravate, Aggravation, and Aggravating: Usage Guide
Although aggravate has been used to refer to rousing someone to anger since the 17th century, it has been the object of disapproval only since about 1870. It is used in expository prose
William Styron
but seems to be more common in speech and casual writing.
Jackie Gleason, interview, 1986
Mark Twain, letter, 1864
The "make worse" meaning is far more common in published prose than the "rouse to anger" meaning. Such is not the case, however, with aggravation and aggravating. Aggravation is used in the "irritation, provocation" sense somewhat more than in its earlier senses; aggravating has practically no use other than to express annoyance.
Examples of aggravate in a Sentence
Courier-News, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
After his release, the driver of the Ford truck was taken into custody and booked into the Ada County Jail on suspicion of felony aggravated driving under the influence, according to jail records.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 10 Mar. 2025
Following his final round, the two-time major champion detailed surviving the weekend without aggravating his rib injury.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
Christian Walker aggravating his left oblique Wednesday afternoon opened myriad possibilities for general manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada, two men who’ve taken clear stances on promoting prospects.
—Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggravate
Articles Related to aggravate
Cite this Entry
“Aggravate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aggravate. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aggravate
verb
from Latin aggravare "to make heavier," from ad- "to" and gravare "to burden," from gravis "heavy" — related to grave entry 3, gravity, grieve
Medical Definition
aggravate
transitive verb
Legal Definition
aggravate
transitive verb
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