noun
aggravation
ag-ruh-VAY-shuhn
Aggravation (noun) means the act of making something worse, or a factor that does so. Example: “The report cited pollution as an aggravation of the health crisis.”
noun
1
The act of making something worse, or a factor that does so.
"The report cited pollution as an aggravation of the health crisis."
"Any aggravation of the wound requires immediate treatment."
2
A feeling of irritation or annoyance.
"The delay caused a lot of aggravation for passengers."
"He complained about the aggravation of dealing with the paperwork."
How to use aggravation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a worsening of a problem, or the annoyance you feel.
Common pairings
cause aggravation
source of aggravation
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Word forms
- Plural
- aggravations
Fill the gap
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The report cited pollution as an _____ of the health crisis.
Etymology
From Middle French aggravation, from the same Latin root as "aggravate."
Related words
Rhymes for aggravation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for aggravation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “aggravation” mean?
The word “aggravation” means the act of making something worse, or a factor that does so. In plain terms, either a worsening of a problem, or the annoyance you feel.
How do you pronounce “aggravation”?
“Aggravation” is pronounced ag-ruh-VAY-shuhn (/ˌæɡɹəˈveɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “aggravation” in a sentence?
Here is “aggravation” used in a sentence: “The report cited pollution as an aggravation of the health crisis.”
What part of speech is “aggravation”?
“Aggravation” is a noun.
Where does the word “aggravation” come from?
The word “aggravation” comes from Latin. From Middle French aggravation, from the same Latin root as "aggravate.".
How many meanings does “aggravation” have?
“Aggravation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of making something worse, or a factor that does so.
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