aggravate
verb (used with object)
to make worse or more severe; intensify, as anything evil, disorderly, or troublesome.
have aggravated
-
present perfectof aggravate.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
Financial Supervisory Service Gov. Lee Chan-jin expressed sorrow at failing to halt the launch of single-stock leveraged ETFs in May, saying it might have aggravated market swings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026
Ohtani theorized over the weekend that problems with his pitching mechanics may have aggravated his knee.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026
At the time, the Kraken said it wasn’t any particular play causing him to leave — again suggesting he might have aggravated a lingering issue.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 23, 2024
They argued that droughts were being fuelled by climate change, and so only global action can make a difference, although in Africa's case land degradation and desertification have aggravated the situation.
From BBC ● May 23, 2022
It revealed data which, although susceptible of satisfactory explanations, would, if disclosed at that moment, have aggravated the feeling of bitterness against France, which was fast gathering.
From The Inside Story of the Peace Conference by Emile Joseph Dillon
