- present participle of aggravate.
aggravating
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of aggravating
First recorded in 1630–40; aggravat(e) + -ing 2
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.
Because only pitching seems to be aggravating the injury, Ohtani will continue to play at designated hitter.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026
If central banks cut interest rates to boost growth during a period of stagflation they run the risk of further aggravating inflation.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
The Fifa disciplinary committee takes into account "both aggravating and mitigating circumstances", and it has the power to enforce the ban globally.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
It specified 10 aggravating factors, the presence of which would allow a jury to return a death sentence in the belief that such “guided discretion” would pass constitutional muster.
From Slate ● Jun. 8, 2026
And that’s how I felt about our dreadful boardinghouse, the wretched meals we were served, and the aggravating theatrics of miserly Mrs. Wigginbottom.
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
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.
