Definition of: aggravate

(ag′rə·vāt) v.t. ·vat·ed, ·vat·ing
1. To make worse; increase, intensify, as an offense.
2. To make heavier or more burdensome, as a duty.
3. Colloq. To provoke or exasperate; arouse to anger. [<L aggravatus, pp. of aggravare make heavy or burdensome < ad- to + gravare make heavy < gravis heavy. Doublet of AGGRIEVE.]
—ag′gra·vat′ing adjective
—ag′gra·vat′ing·ly adverb ag′gra·va′tive adjective Synonyms: affront, enhance, heighten, increase, intensify, magnify. Enhance and magnify are most often used in the lofty and good sense; as, to enhance the glory of God; "I magnify mine office." Rom. xi 13. Aggravate is used always in the bad sense meaning to make worse what is already bad; as, to aggravate a fever or an enmity. See AFFRONT, INCREASE. Antonyms: alleviate, assuage, attenuate, diminish, lessen, palliate, reduce, soften.