Aggravate Meaning in English
word
ˈæɡɹəˌveɪt
AG-ruh-vayt
ˈæɡɹɐvˌeɪt
AG-ruh-vayt
Definition
To make a bad situation, problem, or feeling worse than it was before. Sometimes also used informally to mean 'to annoy someone'.
Usage & Nuances
More formal than 'make worse'. Common collocations: 'aggravate a problem', 'aggravate symptoms', not used for positive situations. Informally, especially in American English, can mean 'annoy'. Don't confuse with 'irritate' (which primarily means 'annoy').
Spanish: agravar - empeorarPortuguese (BR): agravar - piorarPortuguese (PT): agravar - piorarChinese (Simplified): 加剧 - 恶化Chinese (Traditional): 加劇 - 惡化Hindi: बिगाड़ना - और खराब करनाArabic: يُفاقم - يزيد سوءًاBengali: বাড়িয়ে তোলা - খারাপ করা - বিরক্ত করাRussian: усугублять - раздражатьJapanese: 悪化させる - イライラさせるVietnamese: làm trầm trọng thêm - làm cho bực mìnhKorean: 악화시키다 - 화나게 하다Turkish: kötüleştirmek - sinirlendirmekUrdu: بگاڑ دینا - مزید خراب کرنا - تنگ کرناIndonesian: memperburuk - mengganggu
Example Sentences
Smoking can aggravate your cough.
basic
Loud noises aggravate her headache.
basic
The storm may aggravate the flooding.
basic
Don't say that to him—it will only aggravate the situation.
natural
His constant complaining really aggravates me.
natural
Trying to fix it without help might just aggravate the problem.
natural