Aggravate

To make a problem or a bad situation worse, like when you tease someone who is already sad, which can make them feel even more upset.

Examples

• When I forgot to study for the math test, my anxiety began to aggravate as I worried about whether I would pass or not.
• The loud noise from the construction outside my window started to aggravate my little brother, making it hard for him to concentrate on his homework.
• During the soccer game, my teammate's mistakes began to aggravate our coach, who was trying to help us improve our teamwork.

Synonyms

Antonyms