aggravating

[ ag-ruh-vey-ting ]

adjective

1. causing or full of aggravation:

   I've had an aggravating day.

Other Words From

• aggra·vating·ly adverb
• un·aggra·vating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of aggravating¹

First recorded in 1630–40; aggravat(e) + -ing ²

Example Sentences

So while the poor sound quality was aggravating, it was also a signal of some weird legitimacy.

From The Daily Beast

There are a lot of aggravating myths and narratives in politics.

From The Daily Beast

We all know that spending time with your extended clan over the holidays can be aggravating.

From The Daily Beast

It found a way to make one of the most aggravating aspects of modern American life, air travel, even more aggravating.

From The Daily Beast

The effects are clearly aggravating the difficulties of the United States.

From The Daily Beast

Governor Berkeley at this time was aggravating the home situation of the Virginia colonists.

From Project Gutenberg

The aggravating smile of condescending wisdom kept playing about his lips.

From Project Gutenberg

A woman will endure martyrdom with the expression of a seraph,—an extremely aggravating seraph.

From Project Gutenberg

A more aggravating annoyance, however, brings loss to the owners of the herds.

From Project Gutenberg

The aggravating thing is, that the expeditions may never reach their proper starting point.

From Project Gutenberg