aggravate Meaning, Definition & Usage

Ag"gra*vate transitive verb

Etymology

L. aggravatus, p. p. of aggravare. See Aggrieve.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Aggravated present participle & verbal noun Aggravating

Definitions

1. To make heavy or heavier; to add to; to increase. Obs. "To aggravate thy store." Shak.
2. To make worse, or more severe; to render less tolerable or less excusable; to make more offensive; to enhance; to intensify. "To aggravate my woes." Pope.

   To aggravate the horrors of the scene. Prescott.

   The defense made by the prisioner's counsel did rather aggravate than extenuate his crime. Addison.

3. To give coloring to in description; to exaggerate; as, to aggravate circumstances. Paley.
4. To exasperate; to provoke; to irritate. Colloq.

   If both were to aggravate her parents, as my brother and sister do mine. Richardson (Clarissa).

   Syn. -- To heighten; intensify; increase; magnify; exaggerate; provoke; irritate; exasperate.