aggravate
25 synonyms and 5 antonyms for aggravate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make a bad situation, problem, or injury worse.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use aggravate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin aggravare ("to make heavier"), from ad- ("to") + gravare ("to weigh down"), from gravis ("heavy") — the same root as "grave" and "gravity."
Full origin of aggravate →Frequently asked questions
What does “aggravate” mean?
The word “aggravate” means to make a bad situation, problem, or injury worse. In plain terms, to make something worse, or to annoy someone.
How do you pronounce “aggravate”?
“Aggravate” is pronounced AG-ruh-vayt (/ˈæɡ.ɹə.veɪ̯t/ in IPA).
How do you use “aggravate” in a sentence?
Here is “aggravate” used in a sentence: “Stress can aggravate an existing health condition.”
What is another word for “aggravate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “aggravate” include adulterate, alloy, canker, contaminate, corrupt and debase.
What is the opposite of “aggravate”?
The opposite of “aggravate” — its antonyms — are ameliorate, improve, mitigate, repair and restore.
What part of speech is “aggravate”?
“Aggravate” is a verb.
Where does the word “aggravate” come from?
The word “aggravate” comes from Latin. From Latin aggravare ("to make heavier"), from ad- ("to") + gravare ("to weigh down"), from gravis ("heavy") — the same root as "grave" and "gravity.".
How many meanings does “aggravate” have?
“Aggravate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make a bad situation, problem, or injury worse.