aggravate
To make a problem worse, or to really annoy someone.
aggravate in a sentence
- Scratching the itchy bite will only aggravate it and make it even redder.
- Poking the wasps' nest with a stick would only aggravate the problem, warned Grandad.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to aggravate?
- Asoothe
- Bworsen
- Chelp
- Dcalm
Show the answer
B: worsen. The other three mean the opposite of aggravate.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to aggravate?
- Aworsen
- Bsoothe
- Cbother
- Dannoy
Show the answer
B: soothe. The other three mean nearly the same as aggravate.
Words that mean something similar
worsen, annoy, bother
Words that mean the opposite
soothe, calm, help
More words about behaviour & manners
- appease: To calm someone down by giving them what they want.
- assiduous: Working with great care, effort and determination.
- awkward: Uncomfortable and clumsy, or difficult to deal with.
- beguile: To charm or trick someone in a clever way.
- betray: To let someone down by breaking their trust, often by giving away their secrets.
- boisterous: Noisy, lively and full of rough energy.
- brazen: Bold and cheeky, without any shame.
- brusque: Using few words in a way that seems rude and unfriendly.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test