aggravation
Americannoun
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an increase in intensity, seriousness, or severity; act of making worse.
an aggravation of pain.
-
the state of being aggravated. aggravated.
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something that causes an increase in intensity, degree, or severity.
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annoyance; exasperation.
Johnny causes me so much aggravation!
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a source or cause of annoyance or exasperation.
Johnny's such an aggravation to her!
Usage
See aggravate.
Other Word Forms
- overaggravation noun
- preaggravation noun
- superaggravation noun
Etymology
Origin of aggravation
1475–85; < Medieval Latin aggravātiōn- (stem of aggravātiō ); aggravate, -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I think we have to assume,” Kennedy said, aggravation in his voice, “that this is their new and latest position.”
From Literature
To do that you have to put up with the aggravation, the late-night calls or the dumb questions.
From Los Angeles Times
"Is it worth the aggravation to find yourself a job when there's nothing worth working for?" snarled Liam.
From BBC
The charges had been said to have had a connection with serious organised crime, but this aggravation was deleted by prosecutors at the end of the evidence.
From BBC
Kathy Cady, who served as his victims’ rights attorney, is now the head of Hochman’s Bureau of Victims’ Services, another point of aggravation for the relatives fighting for the brothers release.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
