aggravation
aggravation Lexical Profile
aggravation Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A state of annoyance, impatience, or exasperation, or something that causes such a feeling.
"Dealing with the endless customer service phone tree caused her a great deal of aggravation."
An increase in the severity, intensity, or seriousness of a problem, medical condition, or criminal offense.
"Returning to strenuous training too early led to a severe aggravation of his knee injury."
Word Nuance & Usage
In strict formal and legal usage, 'aggravation' refers to making a condition or offense worse, whereas in everyday speech and standard journalism it commonly means irritation or an annoyance.
• Rhymes for aggravation
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 15th century from Late Latin aggravationem ('an addition to a burden'), from the Latin verb aggravare ('to make heavier or worse'), combining ad- ('to') and gravis ('heavy').