AGGRAVATES Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

aggravates

verb

present tense third-person singular of aggravate

as in annoys

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in deepens

to make more severe overheated rhetoric that only aggravated an already tense situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of aggravates Social pressures intensify as the Aries moon aggravates Mars. — Usa Today, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026 Regardless, the lure of short-form cricket aggravates the Test situation. — Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 But when Dusty takes a tumble and aggravates his old wrist injury, that puts him out of the running. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026 The minuscule particles can lead to breathing problems like bronchitis and cause inflammation that aggravates diabetes, heart disease and other health conditions. — Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 14 July 2026 The light that aggravates her pigmentation isn't only coming from the sky. — Angela Haupt, Time, 7 July 2026 What’s clear is that obesity aggravates matters. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 26 June 2026 Flood conditions in Northern Lower Michigan have become increasingly dire in recent days, as heavy rainfall aggravates the winter snowmelt in the region. — Terrance Friday, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026 Smoke from wildfires penetrates deep into the lungs and aggravates respiratory disease more than any other type of pollution. — Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 4 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravates

Verb

Hotel-booking platform HotelTonight surveyed 447 of its American adult users in June about what annoys them the most during travel.

— Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 21 July 2026
But Turner is a symbol for everything that annoys people about the Phillies.

— Matt Gelb, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of annoys

Verb

As war fatigue deepens, politicians are increasingly exploiting anti-refugee sentiment for political gain.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
The United States removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism on Monday, lifting what Damascus says was the last major impediment to investing in the country as Washington deepens ties to the new Syrian government.

— Reuters, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of deepens

Verb

That sequencing bothers people who’ve spent careers being told that data systems need privacy protections designed in, not bolted on after a scandal.

— Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
Kurt's key takeaways What bothers me most about this scam is that criminals are going after people who may have the fewest options to protect themselves.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of bothers

Verb

With contact dermatitis, a product like a soap or chemical irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction, leading to symptoms like itching, discoloration, swelling, or even blisters.

— Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026
The capsaicin in hot peppers irritates pests and deters them from feeding on plants.

— Farima Ferguson, The Spruce, 15 July 2026

Definition of irritates

Verb

And the backwards focus exacerbates the lag in responding to those changes, with potentially serious macroeconomic consequences.

— George Calhoun, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
As climate change exacerbates the heat, experts say the negative effects of sizzling classrooms are here to stay, especially in school districts that may not have the resources to combat hotter weather.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of exacerbates

Verb

China, which jails human rights activists in Hong Kong, persecutes Uyghurs, has killed hundreds of thousands of Tibetans and has committed genocide against the Falun Gong, is on the UN Human Rights Council.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
In Russia, the civilian repressive apparatus persecutes the military, which leaps at every chance for revenge.

— Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

Definition of persecutes

Verb

Therefore, analysts note that if extreme weather worsens water and power scarcity, the impact could ripple through the entire semiconductor supply chain.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Ford said in an interview published Monday that Canada should be prepared to cut off electricity exports to the United States if the trade war worsens, putting a potentially powerful weapon on the table.

— Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of worsens

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“Aggravates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravates. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of aggravates

verb

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