aggravation

[ag-ruh-vey-shuh n] /ˌæg rəˈveɪ ʃən/
noun
1.
an increase in intensity, seriousness, or severity; act of making worse:
an aggravation of pain.
2.
the state of being aggravated.
3.
something that causes an increase in intensity, degree, or severity.
4.
annoyance; exasperation:
Johnny causes me so much aggravation!
5.
a source or cause of annoyance or exasperation:
Johnny's such an aggravation to her!
Origin
1475-85; < Medieval Latin aggravātiōn- (stem of aggravātiō); see aggravate, -ion
Related forms
overaggravation, noun
preaggravation, noun
superaggravation, noun
Can be confused
aggravation, annoyance, intensification, irritation, worsening.
Usage note
See aggravate.
Examples from the web for aggravation
  • Voters could not see enough change to justify the aggravation.
  • That's certainly a novel way of thinking about a daily aggravation.
  • Feel free to put your own dollar value on the aggravation.
  • There is a wide spectrum of pain and aggravation between the two extremes.
  • He earlier admitted that this aggravation is worse than the original strain to the same calf.
  • No word on if he was injured today or if this was an aggravation, but whatever the case, he's out tonight.
  • aggravation of an underlying condition may be temporary or permanent.
  • It is critically important to differentiate temporary aggravation from permanent aggravation.
Word Origin and History for aggravation
n.

late 15c., from Middle French aggravation, from Late Latin aggravationem (nominative aggravatio), noun of action from past participle stem of Latin aggravare "make heavier," figuratively "to embarrass further, increase in oppressiveness," from ad "to" (see ad-) + gravare "weigh down," from gravis "heavy" (see grave (adj.)). Oldest sense is "increasing in gravity or seriousness;" that of "irritation" is from 1610s.