easy
Running too soon could aggravate the injury.
What does Aggravate mean?
Aggravate means to make something worse.
Dictionary definition
To make a problem, injury, or feeling worse.
Example sentences
Aggravate in a sentence
medium
Loud noise can aggravate a headache.
hard
Ignoring a small disagreement can aggravate the conflict over time.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice aggravate in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Aggravate
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does aggravate mean?
Aggravate means to make a problem, injury, feeling, or situation worse.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to aggravate?
Worsen is close in meaning to aggravate in this dictionary entry.
Practice 3
Which word is an antonym of aggravate?
Relieve contrasts with aggravate in this dictionary entry.
Practice complete
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Aggravate
Voice settings
Sounds like
ag · ruh · vayt · strongest beat: ag
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordAggravate.
Partverb.
MeaningAggravate means to make something worse.
ExampleExample: Running too soon could aggravate the injury.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- ag · ruh · vayt
- Strongest beat
- ag
- Ending
- vayt
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on ag.
Your turn
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Synonyms
Words like Aggravate
worsenUse when making a problem more serious.
irritateUse when making someone annoyed or making discomfort worse.
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice aggravate synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "Adding more glue may aggravate the mess," then compare close word choices. Practice aggravate synonyms.
Word family
Aggravate word family
Base word
aggravate
adjective
aggravated
Made worse or more annoyed.
noun
aggravation
A worsening problem or feeling of annoyance.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Aggravate
Hint for students
Aggravate means to make something worse.
Common mix-up
Aggravate is not the same as relieve. Aggravate means aggravate means to make something worse.
Try it in class or at home
Read this model sentence: Loud noise can aggravate a headache. Clue words: loud, noise, headache. Underline clue words that show why aggravate fits instead of relieve. Now write one new sentence that shows aggravate without using the word aggravate. Ask: Does my sentence clearly show aggravate?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "Loud noise can aggravate a headache." Why does aggravate fit better than relieve?
Learning activities
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