aggravate

What does “aggravate” mean?

verb.to make a problem or situation worse or more serious.

SAT Usage

The term is often found in passages discussing conflict, social issues, or health, emphasizing the action of intensifying negative consequences. It implies a proactive worsening of a situation, differentiating it from similar words like "annoy," which suggests irritation without the serious implications of exacerbating a problem.

Common Confusions

Aggravate implies actively worsening a situation, while annoy usually suggests merely causing mild irritation without the serious implications of exacerbating a problem.

Example Sentences

• Constant interruptions aggravated the speaker during the presentation.

• Scratching the rash will only aggravate the irritation.

Word Parts: How to Remember “aggravate”

Break “aggravate” into its parts: ad- (to, toward). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: ad- to, toward (Latin)