aggravation

USAGE SUMMARY

'aggravation' is an acceptable word in written English, and can be used when referring to a feeling of annoyance or frustration that is caused by something.
Example sentence: I felt a sudden wave of aggravation when my computer crashed while I was working on an important project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was considerable aggravation between the pair early in the match.

The Guardian - Sport

"The whole-life order, the product of primary legislation, is reserved for the few exceptionally serious offences in which, after reflecting on all the features of aggravation and mitigation, the judge is satisfied that the element of just punishment and retribution requires the imposition of a whole-life order," the lord chief justice Lord Judge said.

The Guardian

On other occasions it is driven by constituency necessity, when union members on one side or voters on the other expect a display of aggravation on their behalf.

The Guardian

But libertarians would like to see the law further amended, so as to end completely the bar on "insulting" speech and take away the reference to religious aggravation.

The Economist

DESPITE a concerted international effort since the start of the year to soothe heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula, the South Korean government is bracing for a different type of aggravation from Pyongyang: terrorism, perhaps.

The Economist

The bill did not win enough votes to break a filibuster.Tightened restrictions, political aggravation and economic conditions seem to be having an effect.

The Economist

Mike Russell, a minister in Scotland's government, has said he is disappointed by the regulator's line; the NSS, meanwhile, has expressed bewilderment over the minister's Catholic-friendly stance, given that the regulator is merely applying the law.There is aggravation all round.

The Economist

Investor's prudence may be a comfort to its shareholders today, yet for some time it was a source of great aggravation.

The Economist

Although Britain has abolished its ancient ban on blasphemy, which punished insults to Christianity, the concept of "religious aggravation" amounts to a new form of blasphemy law which could be used to prevent criticism of any religion, says Keith Porteous Wood, executive director of the NSS.

The Economist

As currently described, the plan spells more work for the flight attendants and more potential aggravation for passengers, many of whom will see a bendable rule.Gulliver is of course in favour of proposals to speed up boarding and applauds Virgin America for looking into this issue, but this initiative needs more thought.

The Economist

If implemented, they might have prevented much of the aggravation felt 14 years later in the Lehman workout.Many see risks in tampering with insolvency law and high costs in ring-fencing client accounts in bankruptcy-proof entities.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal writing, utilize the term specifically to refer to factors that increase the severity or culpability of a crime.

Common error

Do not confuse the noun with physical hostility. While "aggravation" refers to an increase in severity or a feeling of annoyance, aggression refers to hostile or violent behavior.

Linguistic Context

The word "aggravation" serves as an abstract noun that denotes either a process (the act of making something worse) or a state of mind (annoyance). According to Ludwig AI, it is a stable noun that does not require special grammatical shifts when used in different registers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "aggravation" is a versatile and highly acceptable term in modern English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions effectively across multiple domains—from the legal courtrooms where it describes factors increasing criminal severity to the medical field where it describes the worsening of symptoms. In general prose, it captures a specific type of annoyance that often stems from persistent or increasing difficulty. While it is often used interchangeably with "exasperation" in emotional contexts, its literal meaning of making a situation heavier or more severe remains its most formal application. Writers should feel confident using it in any professional or journalistic setting to describe escalating tensions or personal frustration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exacerbation

Refers specifically to the worsening of a disease or an already bad situation

exasperation

Focuses on the intense irritation or annoyance felt by a person

worsening

A more common and less formal synonym for the process of becoming more severe

irritation

Describes a milder form of annoyance or physical inflammation

annoyance

A general term for the feeling of being bothered by something

frustration

Emphasizes the feeling of being upset because of an inability to change something

provocation

Refers to the action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry

nuisance

Refers to a person, thing, or circumstance that causes inconvenience

grievance

Often used in formal contexts to describe a real or perceived wrong causing resentment

distress

Indicates a higher level of suffering or anxiety rather than just annoyance

FAQs

What is the meaning of "aggravation" in a legal context?

In law, it refers to any circumstance attending the commission of a crime or tort which increases its guilt or enormity. It is the opposite of "mitigation".

Can I use "aggravation" for medical issues?

Yes, it is frequently used to describe the worsening of a pre-existing condition, similar to "exacerbation" or "deterioration".

What is a common synonym for "aggravation" when feeling annoyed?

If you are referring to a feeling, you can use "exasperation" or "irritation" depending on the intensity of the emotion.

Is "aggravation" a formal word?

It is generally considered neutral to formal. While common in daily speech, it appears frequently in high-level journalism and academic texts to describe "increasing tensions" or complexities.