Aggravation - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT aggravation /ˈægrəˌveɪʃən/ /ægrəˈveɪʃən/ IPA guide

Other forms: aggravations

An aggravation is something that makes a situation or condition worse. Getting hot and sweaty might result in an aggravation of your poison ivy rash.

An aggravation of symptoms in a hospital patient is a bad sign — things are becoming more serious. Another, less formal way to use the noun aggravation is to mean something that annoys or bothers you. You might say, "Having to take the bus is such an aggravation — I'd much rather drive my car." The Latin root of aggravation is aggravare, "make heavier," or "increase in oppressiveness."

Definitions of aggravation

noun action that makes a problem or a disease (or its symptoms) worse “the aggravation of her condition resulted from lack of care” synonyms: exacerbation see moresee less type of: intensification action that makes something stronger or more extreme
noun an exasperated feeling of annoyance synonyms: exasperation see moresee less type of: annoyance, chafe, vexation anger produced by some annoying irritation
noun unfriendly behavior that causes anger or resentment synonyms: irritation, provocation see moresee less types: aggro (informal British usage) aggravation or aggression last straw the final irritation that stretches your patience beyond the limit taunt, taunting, twit aggravation by deriding or mocking or criticizing type of: aggression deliberately unfriendly behavior

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Vocabulary lists containing aggravation

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