Basic Details
Word: Aggravate
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To make something worse or to annoy someone.
Synonyms: Intensify, worsen, irritate
Antonyms: Alleviate, soothe, calm
Idioms and Phrases
- Adding fuel to the fire: To make a bad situation worse. Example: "She was already upset, and his joke only added fuel to the fire."
- Push someone's buttons: To annoy or irritate someone intentionally. Example: "He knows how to push my buttons when he talks during my favourite show."
Usage Examples
Example 1: If you keep talking while I'm studying, you're going to aggravate me.
Example 2: The loud noises from the construction site began to aggravate the residents of the building.
Example 3: I tried to help her with her homework, but my comments only aggravated her further.
Fun Fact
The word "aggravate" comes from the Latin word "aggravare," which means "to make heavier." It originally meant to increase the severity of something, such as a problem or an illness.
Famous Quote
"People who are intolerant of ambiguity should be themselves aggravated and annoyed all the time." - John Allen Paulos
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "aggravate" mean?
a) To make something better
b) To make something worse or annoy someone
c) To comfort someone
d) To change completely
Answer: b) To make something worse or annoy someone
2. Which of these is a synonym of "aggravate"?
a) Calm
b) Intensify
c) Soothe
d) Alleviate
Answer: b) Intensify
3. What is the opposite of "aggravate"?
a) Make worse
b) Alleviate
c) Annoy
d) Intensify
Answer: b) Alleviate
4. Which sentence correctly uses the word "aggravate"?
a) The rain aggravated the flowers' growth.
b) His constant complaining only aggravated the situation.
c) She felt aggravated after winning the prize.
d) The teacher's explanation aggravated the lesson.
Answer: b) His constant complaining only aggravated the situation.
5. What does "adding fuel to the fire" mean?
a) To calm down a situation
b) To leave a situation alone
c) To make a bad situation worse
d) To help someone
Answer: c) To make a bad situation worse
