aggravate
verb (used with object)
to make worse or more severe; intensify, as anything evil, disorderly, or troublesome.
was aggravating
-
past progressiveof aggravate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Stress, they warned, was aggravating her heart disease, diabetes and blood pressure.
From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2026
If you weren’t turned off by the perception of callousness, the distraction of watching the level of charity pot dwindle while people thanked their mothers, spouses and co-workers was aggravating.
From Salon ● Sep. 15, 2025
Many lamented that Prince Harry was aggravating mounting rifts in the royal family, while others expressed sympathy for his account of what he and his wife had endured.
From New York Times ● Jan. 10, 2023
Polluted air from neighboring India was aggravating the problem, authorities said, as a storm in the Bay of Bengal triggered heavy rains and winds across Sri Lanka in recent days.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 9, 2022
This was aggravating, for Melvina had been two years a nurse in the Cole family and was well qualified to clear up these vexed questions.
From The Wall Between by Sara Ware Bassett
