AGGRAVATION Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

aggravation

noun

ˌa-grə-ˈvā-shən

Definition of aggravation

as in headache

something that is a source of irritation a reminder designed to prevent the aggravation of phones ringing during movies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in harassment

the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another the neighbors' constant aggravations prompted us to move out of town

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in frustration

the feeling of impatience or anger caused by another's repeated disagreeable acts informed her children that she didn't need the extra aggravation of hearing them fight in the back seat while they were stuck in traffic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of aggravation Depressed dads are more prone to expressing aggravation, annoyance or even rage, Daniel Singley, a psychologist who founded a therapy center for men, said to the Times. — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 27 June 2026 Planning ahead could save you money and aggravation. — Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026 And once Betts felt comfortable swinging a bat without risking aggravation, his hitting ramp-up was swift. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026 Starkey was particularly concerned because his wife had recently had spinal surgery and a wreck or further aggravation could be catastrophic. — Scott Butler, Florida Times-Union, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for aggravation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggravation

Noun

AutoCamp is also a short walk to the main drag, sparing guests the headache of the limited parking around shops and restaurants.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Friday provided a brief but clear reminder of what kind of headache that could be for opposing defensive coordinators.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of headache

Noun

All 10 members of the court voted to extend the application of the Maria da Penha law for situations such as persecution, threats and harassment outside the home.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
The turmoil contributed to the early retirement of longtime Registrar of Voters Cathy Darling Allen, who said years of harassment, threats and accusations stemming from false election-fraud allegations took a personal toll.

— Drew Askeland, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of harassment

Noun

Whenever Biya eventually leaves office, his successor will inherit a country also facing attacks by Boko Haram militants in the north and deep economic frustration among young people.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Rather than treating Debra’s frustrations as something distant from her own life, Heaton drew from the reality of raising her own kids while working on the series.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of frustration

Noun

Therefore, the state-level attorney general might opt to bring a legal charge of public nuisance against an AI maker and their AI.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Golden State’s stellar defense has quickly developed a reputation for being a nuisance against top guards in particular.

— Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of nuisance

Noun

This mosquito is more associated with human disturbance including containers left out in people’s backyards will draw them.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2026
The cameras are designed to attract minimal attention and create as little disturbance as possible.

— Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of disturbance

Noun

In the days that followed, students and staff reported headaches, sore throats, skin irritation and red eyes, according to state Agriculture Department interviews.

— Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Sensitive skin will appreciate this formula from Celimax, made with centella asiatica and panthenol, which help calm redness and soothe irritation.

— Anna Traver, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of irritation

Noun

Unfortunately, the sound system problems that began during the Romantics set (and would actually continue during Toto’s performance) hit their height of annoyance while Cross was on the stage.

— Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
Seat switchers—passengers who ask to switch seats—also made the list as the top annoyance for 20 percent of respondents.

— Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of annoyance

Noun

Vain to the point of exasperation, computer genius and hacker Roddy did not have to make an error to be thrown out of MI5 headquarters.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026
The result is a documentary that implicitly honors these incredible doctors, but more acutely leverages their plight to address the numbing exasperation that such an atrocity is designed to instill among otherwise good people.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of exasperation

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aggravating

aggravation

aggravations

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Style

“Aggravation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggravation. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of aggravation

noun

Example Sentences

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