NYT Dictionary

AGGRAVATING

/ˈæɡɹʌvˌeɪtɪŋ/
VerbAdjectiveAG-gra-vat-ingag-gra-vat-ing · 4 syllablesGrade 3

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2025

Meaning

present participle and gerund of aggravate

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

worsenaggravateexacerbateexasperateexacerbatingexasperatingaggravativeannoyingbotheringbothersome

Antonyms

alleviatingextenuatingmitigatingbetter

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle, including a pangram:

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