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.
He is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 19 and faces up to 181 years to life in prison due to previous convictions and aggravating factors in the case.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 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
He said Phelan's actions were a "joint enterprise with others" which was a "serious aggravating factor".
From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026
Midtown felt like a party, even as the Secret Service closed off chunks of 7th and 8th avenue and warned of aggravating security lines.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026
I worked in the kitchen at Viola’s elbow, which I think she found more aggravating than usual, as she had to cook and teach me at the same time.
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
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.
