AGGRAVATING Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

aggravating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈa-grə-ˌvā-tiŋ

Definition of aggravating

as in annoying

causing annoyance there's nothing so aggravating as a blaring car alarm that no one is paying any attention to

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

aggravating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of aggravate

as in irritating

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts it really aggravates me when I arrive 10 minutes before the stated closing time, and the store's closed already

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in worsening

to make more severe overheated rhetoric that only aggravated an already tense situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of aggravating

Adjective

Bagent, though, will also have to resist the urge to press on Sunday, an understandable temptation given the aggravating, albeit minor, interruptions to his growth over the past two months. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026 On Friday, Cowles assessed a $100 fine for each of the excess contributions and then doubled the fine, citing the case’s aggravating factors. — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026

Verb

The shutdown, which could last for weeks – the extent of the damage is not yet clear – is aggravating an already tough situation for the global oil market. — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026 Ibarra’s assault charge also carries enhancements for causing great bodily injury, aggravating factors and for being previously convicted of multiple felonies, according to court records. — Jason Green, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aggravating

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravating

Adjective

Imagine a congressional coalition formed by kicking out the lawmakers, on either side, who are annoying—the Ted Cruzes and the John Fettermans.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Indeed, the survey showed that use of the horn is the most common action when drivers consider another driver to be annoying or angering them.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of annoying

Verb

Rising utility costs are worsening the affordability crunch facing millions of American families, who are facing sharply higher gasoline and diesel prices amid higher oil costs due to the war in Iran.

— Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Residents are worried about how data centers will affect power and water supplies, as well as worsening noise pollution.

— Jay Ganglani, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of worsening

Adjective

Make no mistake, Sweeney inherits a talented but frustrating team.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Frustrating process to get assistance However, the new program will not launch until December, and some residents say a lack of clarity surrounding the assistance has made navigating the process frustrating.

— Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of frustrating

Verb

His work is autobiographical and based on whatever has been bothering him that year.

— Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
For example, companies that benefit from customers not bothering to cancel subscriptions, compare prices, or search for better deals have taken a beating in recent weeks.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of bothering

Verb

There are indications that some of the Central Asian nations present, all of which are post-Soviet states, are deepening diplomatic and economic links with Washington.

— Reuters, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026
Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party took power following the popular ouster in 2024 of autocratic former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whom India granted sanctuary, deepening the rift between the neighbors.

— Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of deepening

Adjective

For Daughtry, who was dispatched to work the crash by his editor that day, the assignment was one of the most disturbing of his career.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
This disturbing contradiction suggests that different physical laws apply to the observer and the observed.

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of disturbing

Verb

On Monday, a court granted the US government’s request to deny release of a former OpenAI engineer accused of bugging a top-secret conference room to steal the frontier lab’s secrets.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
However, in-flight cabin etiquette is only one part of what’s bugging travelers this summer.

— Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of bugging

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aggravates

aggravating

aggravation

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Style

“Aggravating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravating. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of aggravating

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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