What is aggravate? Pronunciation and usage in English

aggravate means . Learn how to pronounce and use aggravate through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of aggravate

aggravateverb

/ˈæɡrəveɪt//ˈæɡrəveɪt/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "aggravate" in English. It's a tricky one because of the stress and the sounds involved! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Overall Sound:

The word is pronounced roughly like "ag-GRAV-ayt."

2. Syllable Breakdown:

  • ag: This is pronounced like "ag" as in "age." A short, sharp sound.
  • GRAV: This is the key part!
    • GRA: Pronounced like "gra" as in "grab."
    • V: This is a voiceless 'v' sound. It's a very subtle 'v', almost like a "w" sound. Many people find this a challenging part. Think of it as almost like "grah-w."
  • ayt: Pronounced like “ayt,” as in “eye-t.”

3. Stress:

The stress is on the second syllable: "GRAV." This is what makes it sound different from "ag-grav-ate."

4. Putting it Together and Tips:

  • Emphasis: Really push the "GRAV" part.
  • The “v”: This is the hardest part for many learners. Don’t overemphasize the ‘v’ sound. Aim for a quick, almost-‘w’ sound in that position.
  • Flow: Try to connect the syllables smoothly.

Resources for Hearing it:

To summarize: ag-GRAV-ayt - Focus on that "GRAV" first and the subtle 'v' sound.

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Usage and examples with the word aggravate in English

Let's break down how to use the word "aggravate" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings, so it's important to understand the context.

1. As a Verb – To Make Worse:

This is the most common usage. "Aggravate" means to make something (a problem, a feeling, an illness, etc.) worse.

  • Examples:
    • "The rain aggravated his headache." (The rain made his headache worse.)
    • "Don't aggravate the injury by moving it." (Don't make the injury worse by moving it.)
    • "Her constant complaining aggravated me." (Her complaining made me increasingly annoyed.)
    • "The new regulations aggravated the existing financial difficulties." (The regulations made the financial problems worse.)

2. As a Verb – To Annoy or Irritate:

"Aggravate" can also mean to annoy or irritate someone. It suggests a more persistent or intense annoyance than simply "annoy."

  • Examples:
    • "Don't aggravate him; he's already stressed." (Don't add to his stress by causing more trouble.)
    • "His sarcastic remarks aggravated her." (His sarcastic comments repeatedly irritated her.)
    • “I don’t want to aggravate the situation by arguing.” (I don’t want to make things worse by arguing.)

Key Nuances and Differences:

  • "Annoy" vs. "Aggravate": "Annoy" is a lighter, more momentary irritation. "Aggravate" implies a more serious and persistent annoyance, or a worsening of a situation.

  • "Exacerbate" (Similar but Different): “Exacerbate” is often used interchangeably with “aggravate,” especially when referring to conditions like illnesses or problems. However, "exacerbate" often has a slightly more formal feel.

Here’s a table summarizing the different uses:

Usage Meaning Example
Verb (worsening) To make something worse “The traffic aggravated the delay.”
Verb (irritating) To annoy or irritate persistently “Don’t aggravate her with questions.”

Tips for Using "Aggravate" Correctly:

  • Consider the context: Make sure the sentence clearly indicates what is being made worse or what is causing the annoyance.
  • Think about intensity: "Aggravate" suggests a stronger degree of worsening or irritation than simpler words like "worsen" or "irritate."

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  • Compare "aggravate" to related words like "exacerbate" and "intensify"?

Synonyms for the word aggravate

Practice with vocabulary aggravate

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Lack of sleep can often ___________ a stressful situation, making it harder to cope.
  2. The company introduced new measures to ___________ the financial burden on its employees during the economic downturn.
  3. Improper lifting techniques are known to ___________ back injuries, turning minor discomfort into chronic pain.
  4. To ___________ the risks associated with the new software, the IT department decided to run extensive beta tests.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Constant criticism can often ___________ a team member's self-doubt and reduce their productivity. a) alleviate b) improve c) intensify d) aggravate
  2. Introducing unclear requirements midway through the project will likely ___________ existing confusions and delays. a) streamline b) simplify c) worsen d) aggravate
  3. The new trade tariffs are expected to ___________ the economic disparities between the two nations. a) lessen b) reduce c) widen d) aggravate
  4. Effective crisis management aims to ___________ the negative consequences of an unexpected event. a) escalate b) amplify c) mitigate d) exacerbate
  5. Clear and concise communication is essential to ___________ misunderstandings in cross-cultural business interactions. a) foster b) prevent c) encourage d) promote

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Smoking can make existing respiratory problems worse. (Rewrite the sentence using a form of "aggravate".)
  2. His provocative comments only increased the hostility between the two negotiating parties. (Rewrite the sentence using a form of "aggravate".)
  3. The unexpected market downturn made the company's financial struggles significantly more severe. (Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement word, but do not use "aggravate" or its forms.)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. aggravate
  2. alleviate
  3. aggravate
  4. mitigate

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) intensify, d) aggravate
  2. c) worsen, d) aggravate
  3. c) widen, d) aggravate
  4. c) mitigate
  5. b) prevent

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Smoking can aggravate existing respiratory problems.
  2. His provocative comments only aggravated the hostility between the two negotiating parties.
  3. The unexpected market downturn exacerbated the company's financial struggles.

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