Aggravate

Pronunciation: /ˈæɡrəˌveɪt/

Aggravate (verb)

  1. to make a problem or situation more serious or severe
  2. to make someone feel annoyed or irritated

Examples

  • The cold weather can aggravate her arthritis.
  • Loud noises aggravate his headache.

Common collocations: aggravate a condition, aggravate a situation, aggravate someone, aggravate the situation

Synonyms of Aggravate

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Antonyms of Aggravate

  • when discussing reducing severity