aggravate
UK/ægrəveɪt/US/'ægrәveit/
IELTSTOEFLGREC2
Definitions
v.
To make a bad situation, problem, or illness worse
加重，使恶化
v.
To annoy or irritate someone
激怒，使恼火
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedag- (a form of ad-, 'toward') + grav (heavy) + -ate (to make) = 'to add weight to.' Adding weight to a problem makes it heavier — that is, worse. The everyday sense 'to annoy' grew from this: you are piling weight onto someone's mood.
Root grav still carries 18 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.aggravate the situation使局势恶化
- 2.aggravate the problem使问题加剧
- 3.aggravate an injury使伤情加重
Example Sentences
- 1.
Stress can aggravate many existing health problems.
- 2.
Don't scratch the wound — you'll only aggravate it.
- 3.
His constant complaining really aggravates me.
Easily Confused
aggravate vs irritate — In careful writing, aggravate means 'make worse' (aggravate an injury) and irritate means 'annoy' (he irritates me). In casual speech aggravate is widely used for 'annoy' too, but in formal or exam contexts keep aggravate = worsen.