1
as in to annoy
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
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Recent Examples of aggravate
While nearly all leaders agree that tariffs will create chaos up and down supply chains and likely aggravate inflation, a Republican administration would presumably be more friendly to business and would lower regulatory barriers and ease permitting.
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David Reimer, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Stretching might trigger or exacerbate those sensations by further aggravating the nerves.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 29 Oct. 2024
However, there are specific stimulants that can aggravate or bring it on.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2024
Running back Jordan Mason aggravated a shoulder injury and will be checked out during the bye week.
— Linebacker Dee Winters has entered concussion protocol.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for aggravate 
David Reimer, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Stretching might trigger or exacerbate those sensations by further aggravating the nerves.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 29 Oct. 2024
However, there are specific stimulants that can aggravate or bring it on.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2024
Running back Jordan Mason aggravated a shoulder injury and will be checked out during the bye week.
— Linebacker Dee Winters has entered concussion protocol.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for aggravate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravate
Verb
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The Dad got annoyed at first but seemed to give up fighting over it with all the kids respectfully persuading him to accept having a driver.Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
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Cooney immediately began to annoy other castaways with his brash personality and attempts to stir the pot about fellow players, and was unsuccessful in winning in the team challenge and individual immunity.Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
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By Karina Tsui | CNN Powerful winds that fueled fast-moving wildfires across Southern California this week are expected to pick up momentum on Thursday –– worsening conditions for firefighters who are already battling limited visibility to save lives.CNN.com, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
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The nurse tells her to stop wasting her time and go to an actual physician before her symptoms worsen or other ailments occur from overcompensating.Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
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So, strong actives like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and tea tree oil are likely too harsh and can irritate the bump even more.Jenna Ryu, SELF, 1 Nov. 2024
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Use mild products: Avoid skin products that can irritate, such as toners, astringents, and exfoliants.Mark Gurarie, Health, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Impulse ensured every elegant moment became a lasting memory, deepening guest engagement with the Veuve Clicquot brand in real time.Meredith Ogilvie-Thompson, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
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Several Southeast Asian countries are deepening their security ties with the U.S., yet China remains the region’s largest trading partner.Nicholas Gordon, Fortune Asia, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Does Miss Manners have a suggestion for a polite way of indicating that, since they couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge the first gift, subsequent gifts should not be solicited?Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
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Each one of them is making some informed assumptions about who will bother to cast a ballot.Philip Elliott, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Tennis is not a huge sport in the country and this is exacerbated at the women’s level.Tim Ellis, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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No matter who Americans cast a ballot for, election anxiety seems inescapable this year, exacerbated by razor-thin races in key swing states, the specter of another Donald Trump campaign effort to overturn the results and increasingly violent political rhetoric.Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Bungie recently acknowledged the existence of arguably the worst bug in Destiny 2’s entire history, the revelation that for years now, loot drops have been bugged to make certain perk combinations close to impossible to get, when all combinations were supposedly supposed to be weighted equally.Paul Tassi, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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In the meantime, if the node is painful or just bugging you, resist the urge to touch or squeeze it, Dr. Norton says, which can make the swelling worse.Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
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The launch intensifies competition in mobile AI as Google and Microsoft (MSFT-2.16%) vie for smartphone dominance.Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
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These disparities in attitude will intensify as the war gets closer to an end and as Ukraine’s postwar status comes into sharper focus.Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Aggravate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravate. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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