as aggravating as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as aggravating as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of annoyance or frustration of one thing to another. Example: "Waiting in long lines can be as aggravating as dealing with a slow internet connection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Mr Porter was referring to Mr Glass's minimalist aesthetic, with its repetitive musical patterns that are alluring to some, but as aggravating as a broken record to others.

The Economist

The idea here is to be as aggravating as humanly possible to force your opponent into making critical mistakes.

WikiHow

"As aggravating as it was to see penguins declining, it was rewarding to have finally figured out the correlation," Wayne Trivelpiece says.

Science Magazine

As aggravating as this is, it's a fact of life -- for now.

Huffington Post

Make no mistake, I'm happy to see the Democrats flying solo, as aggravating as they might be sometimes.

Huffington Post

As aggravating as some aspects of this made-for-TV cookie cutter cookoff was, I believe that each week a good cook won.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But all those commuter trains and mall parking lots, those backed-up toll plazas and on-ramps -- they're as aggravating and badly ventilated as Canal Street.

The New York Times

Each has a number of what would be regarded in another context as aggravating and mitigating features.

The Guardian

If you grew up with TFI you may find the whole thing quite warmly reassuring, if you've never watched a single episode it might come off vaguely aggravating; as is the nature of 90s television reboots.

Independent

As I've previously noted, the report plays down Saudi Arabia's role in regional conflicts: "We also reject Iran's attempt to blame others for regional tensions it is aggravating, as well as its public campaign to demonize the government of Saudi Arabia".

Huffington Post

Under the modified system, Florida jurors must unanimously agree on the factual reasons that support the imposition of a death sentence, known as "aggravating factors".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as aggravating as", ensure the comparison is clear and relatable to your audience. Ground the comparison in universally understood sources of annoyance to maximize impact.

Common error

Avoid pairing "as aggravating as" with excessive intensifiers (e.g., 'so', 'really', 'extremely') as it can make the writing sound hyperbolic and less credible. Let the comparison speak for itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as aggravating as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe something by comparing its level of annoyance to that of something else. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it is used in various contexts to equate different sources of irritation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as aggravating as" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for comparing levels of annoyance. Ludwig AI suggests it falls under a neutral register and is used across various contexts, predominantly in news, media, and scientific writing. While the phrase is deemed correct, consider synonyms like "just as irritating as" or "equally frustrating as" for more nuanced writing. Remember to avoid overusing intensifiers to maintain credibility and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as irritating as

Changes 'aggravating' to 'irritating', offering a slightly different nuance in the level of annoyance.

equally frustrating as

Replaces 'aggravating' with 'frustrating', shifting the focus to the feeling of being thwarted or prevented from achieving something.

as annoying as

A simpler and more direct synonym, using 'annoying' instead of 'aggravating'.

as bothersome as

Substitutes 'aggravating' with 'bothersome', highlighting the troublesome or disruptive nature of something.

as vexing as

Employs 'vexing' in place of 'aggravating', suggesting a more intellectual or sophisticated form of annoyance.

just as exasperating as

Uses 'exasperating', indicating a higher degree of frustration and loss of patience.

equally irritating to

Rephrases the sentence structure, focusing on the recipient of the irritation.

as irksome as

Replaces 'aggravating' with 'irksome', highlighting the petty annoyance caused by something.

as maddening as

Uses 'maddening' to express a very high level of frustration, almost to the point of anger.

as displeasing as

Changes 'aggravating' to 'displeasing', focusing on dissatisfaction and lack of enjoyment rather than annoyance.

FAQs

How can I use "as aggravating as" in a sentence?

You can use "as aggravating as" to compare the level of annoyance caused by two different things. For instance, "Dealing with customer complaints can be "as aggravating as" untangling a pile of wires."

What are some alternatives to saying "as aggravating as"?

Alternatives include "just as irritating as", "equally frustrating as", or "as annoying as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "as aggravating as" a formal or informal expression?

"As aggravating as" falls somewhere in the middle. It's suitable for general writing but may not be the most sophisticated choice for highly formal contexts. Consider more precise synonyms for formal writing.

What's the difference between "as aggravating as" and "more aggravating than"?

"As aggravating as" implies that two things are similarly annoying, whereas "more aggravating than" suggests one thing is more bothersome than another. The choice depends on whether you want to establish equivalence or a hierarchy of annoyance.