adj
Uncommon
aggravating
Aggravating (adj) means making a situation or problem worse. Example: “Poor drainage was an aggravating factor in the flooding.”
adj
1
Making a situation or problem worse.
"Poor drainage was an aggravating factor in the flooding."
"Lack of sleep is an aggravating cause of his headaches."
2
Annoying or irritating.
"It's aggravating when the bus is late every single day."
"His smug tone was deeply aggravating."
How to use aggravating
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that makes things worse, or that annoys you.
Common pairings
aggravating factor
aggravating circumstances
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more aggravating
- Superlative
- most aggravating
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Poor drainage was an _____ factor in the flooding.
Synonyms
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exacerbating
exasperating
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for aggravating
See all rhymes for aggravating →Frequently asked questions
What does “aggravating” mean?
The word “aggravating” means making a situation or problem worse. In plain terms, something that makes things worse, or that annoys you.
How do you use “aggravating” in a sentence?
Here is “aggravating” used in a sentence: “Poor drainage was an aggravating factor in the flooding.”
What part of speech is “aggravating”?
“Aggravating” is an adjective.
Is “aggravating” a common word?
“Aggravating” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “aggravating” have?
“Aggravating” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: making a situation or problem worse.
