aggravate
/'ægrəveit/
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To make a situation, condition, or problem worse or more severe. This is the core meaning, focusing on intensifying negative circumstances.
- To annoy or irritate someone. This is a common, often informal, usage meaning to exasperate.
Usage and Examples
To make worse:
- Applying that cream will only aggravate the rash.
- The new policy is likely to aggravate the economic inequality.
- His comments served to aggravate an already tense situation.
To annoy or irritate:
- The constant noise really aggravates me when I'm trying to work.
- She has a talent for saying things that aggravate her brother.
Advanced Usage and Notes
- In formal or medical contexts, the primary meaning is "to make worse." The "annoy" meaning is widely used but sometimes considered less formal.
- Grammar: Often used in passive constructions, especially for the "make worse" meaning.
- The injury was aggravated by continued use.
- I feel aggravated by the constant delays.
Variants and Related Words
- Aggravation (noun):
- The act of making something worse or the state of being worsened. (The aggravation of his injury forced him to retire.)
- A source of annoyance. (The traffic jam was a major aggravation.)
- Aggravating (adjective):
- Making a problem worse. (An aggravating factor.)
- Causing annoyance. (His aggravating habit of interrupting.)
Synonyms
- To make worse: worsen, exacerbate, intensify, compound.
- To annoy: irritate, exasperate, vex, bother, provoke.
Antonyms
- To make worse: alleviate, mitigate, improve, relieve.
- To annoy: please, soothe, pacify.
Phrasal Verbs / Common Collocations
- Aggravate a condition: Commonly used in medical contexts (e.g., ).
- Aggravate the problem/situation: A frequent collocation for worsening circumstances.
Verb
-
exasperate or irritate
-
make worse
-
This drug aggravates the pain
-
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