Definition of "aggravate" []

• To make worse or more troublesome. (verb-transitive)
• To rouse to exasperation or anger; provoke. See Synonyms at annoy. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The word aggravate annoys him, so say irritate instead?"
• "I also get annoyed with people who seem to think that 'aggravate' and 'irritate' are synonyms."
• "Pope denounces condom use in Africa - in fact, he says condoms "aggravate" the problem of AIDS."