aggravate
B2Formal for the primary meaning; informal/colloquial for the 'annoy' meaning.
Definition
Meaning
To make a situation, problem, or feeling worse or more serious.
In informal use, to annoy or irritate someone (though this is often considered a 'mistake' by prescriptivists).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary sense involves intensifying an existing negative condition. The informal 'annoy' sense is widely used but stigmatized in careful writing. Historically, the 'annoy' sense dates to the 16th century.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The core meaning is identical. The informal 'annoy' sense is used in both but is more frequently criticized in British style guides.
Connotations
In formal contexts, British usage is more likely to avoid the 'annoy' meaning.
Frequency
The verb is moderately common in both varieties. The 'annoy' sense is very frequent in spoken, informal English globally.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SVO (The policy aggravated the crisis.)SVO with preposition (Stress can aggravate her eczema.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Add fuel to the fire (idiom for a similar concept)”
- “Rub salt in the wound (idiom for making a bad situation worse)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The new tariffs could aggravate supply chain issues.
Academic
The intervention served only to aggravate pre-existing social inequalities.
Everyday
Please don't aggravate your knee by running on it.
Technical
This medication may aggravate symptoms of hypertension.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The minister's comments aggravated an already volatile situation.
- Lifting that box will aggravate your back injury.
American English
- His hesitation only aggravated the political crisis.
- Don't aggravate the rash by scratching it.
adverb
British English
- The issue was aggravatingly persistent.
- He spoke aggravatingly slowly.
American English
- The process moved aggravatingly slowly.
- She was aggravatingly vague about the details.
adjective
British English
- The aggravating factor was his prior record.
- It was an aggravating circumstance for the court.
American English
- Her constant noise was truly aggravating.
- The aggravating delay cost us the contract.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Smoking can aggravate a cough.
- The loud music aggravates my headache.
- The new tax policy is likely to aggravate poverty in the region.
- He knew arguing would only aggravate the conflict.
- The journalist's provocative questions aggravated the tense atmosphere during the press conference.
- Failure to address the root cause will simply aggravate the symptoms.
- The ceasefire was undermined by actions that deliberately aggravated ethnic divisions.
- Such rhetoric serves merely to aggravate the sense of grievance among the displaced population.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of AGGRAVATE as adding GRAVEL (AGGRA-) to a situation, making it rougher and worse (-VATE).
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS ARE WOUNDS (to aggravate is to make a wound deeper or more painful).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'aggress' or be overly influenced by the Russian 'аггравировать' (which is a medical term). The common Russian translation 'раздражать' maps to the informal 'annoy' sense, not the formal 'worsen' sense.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'aggravate' to mean 'anger' or 'frustrate' in formal writing. Confusing it with 'irritate' (which can be physical or metaphorical). Using it without an object (e.g., 'The situation aggravated.' is incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most formally correct use of 'aggravate'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In formal and academic writing, it is considered incorrect. The preferred meaning is 'to make worse'. However, the 'annoy' meaning is extremely common in informal spoken English and has a long history. For precise communication, especially in writing, use 'irritate' or 'annoy' for that meaning.
They are very close synonyms. 'Aggravate' can apply to both situations and medical conditions, and carries a slight nuance of making something more severe or serious. 'Exacerbate' is often preferred in technical or formal contexts and strongly implies increasing the severity, violence, or bitterness of something already bad.
No, it is a transitive verb. It requires a direct object (the thing that is made worse). You cannot say 'The pain aggravated.' You must say 'The movement aggravated the pain.'
Yes, 'aggravation'. It has the same dual meaning: 1) The act of making something worse. 2) (Informal) A source of annoyance.
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