aggravate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "aggravate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that makes an existing problem or situation worse, or to describe a person who is making a difficult situation more difficult. For example, "The news of the government shutdown only aggravated an already tense situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such a programme would undoubtedly hit the poor most, serving to aggravate inequality.

The Guardian

Rarely do other factors intrude and aggravate the situation.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But Marc Willems, counsel to the inquest, argued that such special measures could aggravate the anger and suspicion towards the police felt by those who are already concerned about a "lack of transparency and accountability" among GMP.

The Guardian

Instead of counteracting the weakness in demand, the coalition took measures to aggravate it.

The Guardian - Business

The China Daily, an official newspaper, warned that using the alliance to apply pressure to China will "only aggravate" tensions in the East China Sea over disputed islands known to the Japanese as the Senkakus and to the Chinese as the Diaoyus.

The Economist

If this kind of farming, widespread in the developed world, becomes popular elsewhere, it may aggravate, not diminish, pressure on the marine environment and on the world's supply of fish.

The Economist

Eight months ago he defied the world's markets by placing controls on Malaysian capital movements, an act that threatened to aggravate the effects of Asia's economic collapse.

The Economist

From then on, some believe, demography will seriously aggravate Japan's other D-words debt, D-words debt deficitsn.

The Economist

Cheap oil might merely aggravate the twin evils of corruption and bad government.No naked flames, pleaseThe bigger fear is that consumers will one day suffer, too.

The Economist

This would aggravate me if I were a judge.

The Economist

India's future still turns on the question of national identity the problem that the agonies of partition failed to resolve, and in many ways served to aggravate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aggravate" when you want to emphasize that something is making an existing negative situation even worse. It's more potent than simply saying something "worsens" a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "aggravate" when a milder term like "inconvenience" or "annoy" would be more appropriate. "Aggravate" suggests a significant worsening of a situation, so reserve it for serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "aggravate" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being made worse. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in its provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "aggravate" functions as a transitive verb, signifying the act of making something worse. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it is most frequently encountered in "News & Media" sources, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Related phrases include "exacerbate", "intensify", and "worsen", providing nuanced alternatives for expressing the worsening of situations. Remember to use "aggravate" when you want to highlight a significant decline, avoiding overuse in situations where milder terms would be more appropriate. In conclusion, "aggravate" is a versatile and powerful word when used correctly, adding emphasis to negative progressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Exacerbate

This alternative, like "aggravate", means to make a problem or situation worse. It's a direct synonym focusing on the increase in severity.

Worsen

This is a general term for making something bad become even worse, directly indicating a decline in condition.

Intensify

This focuses on increasing the strength or degree of something, whether positive or negative, making it more pronounced.

Escalate

This term suggests a rapid increase in intensity or seriousness, often used in the context of conflicts or crises.

Heighten

Similar to intensify, this means to increase the level or degree of something, often related to emotions or tension.

Compound

This suggests adding to an existing problem, making it more complex or severe by layering on additional issues.

Magnify

This implies enlarging the perceived impact or importance of something, often a problem or difficulty.

Inflame

This emphasizes the act of stirring up strong feelings or making a situation more heated or agitated.

Fuel

This implies that something adds to the continuation of a negative and/or dangerous event.

Exasperate

This refers to intensely irritating or frustrating someone, often to the point of provoking anger or impatience.

FAQs

How can I use "aggravate" in a sentence?

You can use "aggravate" to describe making a situation, feeling, or injury worse. For example, "The loud noise will only "aggravate" his headache."

What words can I use instead of "aggravate"?

Alternatives to "aggravate" include "exacerbate", "intensify", and "worsen", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "aggravate" a person?

Yes, "aggravate" can mean to annoy or irritate someone, though it more commonly refers to worsening a situation or condition. Using "annoy" or "irritate" might be clearer.

What's the difference between "aggravate" and "irritate"?

"Aggravate" implies making something already bad even worse, while "irritate" simply means to annoy or provoke. You might say, "His constant complaining irritates me," but "His smoking aggravates my asthma."