Are you tired of using the words ‘aggravate’ and ‘exasperate’ interchangeably? Do you find yourself wondering which one is the proper word to use in a particular situation? Look no further, as we dive into the differences between these two words and when to use them correctly.
We should establish that both ‘aggravate’ and ‘exasperate’ are proper words in the English language. However, they have distinct meanings that should not be confused.
‘Aggravate’ means to make a problem or situation worse, or to irritate someone. For example, “The loud music aggravated my headache.”
‘Exasperate’, on the other hand, means to irritate someone to the point of extreme annoyance or frustration. For example, “Her constant complaining exasperated her coworkers.”
It is important to note that while these two words have similar meanings, ‘exasperate’ implies a stronger emotional reaction than ‘aggravate’.
In the following sections, we will explore the origins of these words, their usage in common phrases, and provide examples of when to use each word appropriately.
Define Aggravate
Aggravate is a verb that means to make a problem or situation worse, more serious, or more severe. It can also refer to making someone angry or annoyed. Aggravate is often used in legal contexts to describe the act of making an offense or crime more serious, such as aggravating circumstances that increase the severity of a crime.
Define Exasperate
Exasperate is a verb that means to irritate or provoke someone to the point of annoyance or frustration. It can also refer to intensifying a negative emotion such as anger or impatience. Exasperate is often used to describe situations where someone’s behavior or actions are causing irritation or frustration, such as a difficult customer or a stubborn child.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using the right words in a sentence is crucial in effective communication. The words aggravate and exasperate are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. In this section, we will discuss the proper usage of these words in a sentence.
How To Use Aggravate In A Sentence
The word aggravate means to make a problem or situation worse. It can also mean to irritate or annoy someone. Here are some examples of how to use aggravate in a sentence:
- The loud music aggravated my headache.
- Her constant complaints only aggravated the situation.
- The company’s decision to lay off employees will only aggravate the unemployment problem.
It is important to note that aggravate is often used incorrectly in place of the word annoy. Annoy means to slightly irritate or bother someone, while aggravate means to make a problem worse. Therefore, it is important to use the word aggravate only when the situation is being made worse.
How To Use Exasperate In A Sentence
The word exasperate means to make someone extremely annoyed or frustrated. Here are some examples of how to use exasperate in a sentence:
- His constant interruptions during the meeting exasperated the other attendees.
- The long wait at the airport exasperated the tired passengers.
- She was exasperated by the lack of progress on the project.
It is important to note that exasperate is often used incorrectly in place of the word aggravate. Aggravate means to make a problem worse, while exasperate means to make someone annoyed or frustrated. Therefore, it is important to use the word exasperate only when referring to someone’s emotional state.
More Examples Of Aggravate & Exasperate Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the difference between aggravate and exasperate, it is important to see how they are used in sentences. Here are some examples:
Examples Of Using Aggravate In A Sentence
- The loud music aggravated my headache.
- His constant complaining aggravates me.
- The delay in the flight aggravated the passengers.
- The hot weather aggravated my asthma.
- Her criticism only served to aggravate the situation.
- The rough terrain aggravated his knee injury.
- Adding more salt to the dish will aggravate the already high sodium content.
- His lack of punctuality aggravates his boss.
- The constant barking of the dog aggravates the neighbors.
- The heavy traffic aggravated his stress levels.
Examples Of Using Exasperate In A Sentence
- The constant noise from the construction site exasperated the residents.
- Her inability to make a decision exasperated her colleagues.
- The long wait at the DMV exasperated everyone in line.
- His repeated mistakes exasperated his boss.
- The lack of progress in the project exasperated the team.
- The child’s constant whining exasperated his parents.
- The technical difficulties exasperated the IT department.
- The constant interruptions exasperated the speaker during his presentation.
- The broken elevator exasperated the tenants of the building.
- The never-ending paperwork exasperated the accountant.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
It is common for people to use the words aggravate and exasperate interchangeably, but this is a mistake. These two words have different meanings and should be used appropriately to convey the intended message.
Mistakes To Avoid:
- Using aggravate to mean exasperate
- Using exasperate to mean aggravate
Aggravate means to make a problem or situation worse, while exasperate means to make someone feel extremely annoyed or frustrated. Using these words interchangeably can lead to confusion and misinterpretation.
For example, saying “His constant complaining aggravates me” implies that his complaining is making a situation worse. On the other hand, saying “His constant complaining exasperates me” implies that his complaining is making you feel extremely annoyed or frustrated.
Tips To Avoid Mistakes:
- Understand the difference in meaning between aggravate and exasperate
- Consider the context in which the word is being used
- Use alternative words if unsure about the correct usage
By following these tips, you can avoid making the common mistake of using aggravate and exasperate interchangeably and ensure that your message is accurately conveyed.
Context Matters
Choosing between the words aggravate and exasperate can be tricky, as they are often used interchangeably. However, the context in which they are used can make a difference in their meaning and usage.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts where the choice between aggravate and exasperate might change:
| Context | Aggravate | Exasperate |
|---|---|---|
| Medical | Aggravate is often used in medical contexts to refer to a worsening of symptoms or a condition. For example, “Smoking can aggravate asthma.” | Exasperate is not commonly used in medical contexts. |
| Legal | Aggravate is often used in legal contexts to refer to a circumstance that makes a crime more serious. For example, “The use of a weapon can aggravate the charges against the defendant.” | Exasperate is not commonly used in legal contexts. |
| Everyday Language | Aggravate and exasperate are often used interchangeably in everyday language to refer to something that is irritating or annoying. For example, “The constant noise from the construction site is aggravating/exasperating.” | Exasperate is also commonly used in everyday language to refer to something that is particularly frustrating or maddening. For example, “The repeated delays of the project are exasperating.” |
As you can see, the choice between aggravate and exasperate can depend on the specific context in which they are used. It’s important to consider the connotations and nuances of each word to ensure that you are using the most appropriate word for your intended meaning.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using aggravate and exasperate are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they may not apply. Here are some examples:
Medical Terminology
In medical terminology, the word “aggravate” is used to describe a condition that has been made worse. For example, a patient with a pre-existing heart condition may experience aggravated symptoms after a stressful event. In this context, “exasperate” is not used.
Legal Terminology
In legal terminology, “aggravating circumstances” refer to factors that increase the severity of a crime. For example, if a crime was committed with extreme cruelty, this would be considered an aggravating circumstance. In this context, “exasperating circumstances” would not be used.
Regional Differences
There may be some regional differences in the use of aggravate and exasperate. For example, in some parts of the United States, aggravate is used more frequently than exasperate, while in other regions, the opposite may be true. Additionally, in some dialects, the two words may be used interchangeably.
Idiomatic Expressions
There are some idiomatic expressions where either aggravate or exasperate can be used. For example, “to aggravate the situation” and “to exasperate the situation” both mean to make a bad situation worse. Similarly, “to aggravate someone’s nerves” and “to exasperate someone’s nerves” both mean to irritate or annoy someone.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aggravate | To make a bad situation worse |
| Exasperate | To irritate or annoy someone |
Overall, while there may be some exceptions to the rules for using aggravate and exasperate, it is important to understand their proper usage in order to effectively communicate in both written and spoken English.
Practice Exercises
Now that we have explored the differences between aggravate and exasperate, it is time to put your knowledge to the test. Below are some practice exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences.
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Choose the correct word (aggravate or exasperate) to fill in the blank in each of the following sentences:
- The long wait at the airport ___________ my impatience.
- His constant complaining about the heat only ___________ the situation.
- The difficult math problem ___________ the students.
- Her rude behavior ___________ her coworkers.
Answer Key:
- exasperated
- aggravated
- aggravated
- exasperated
Exercise 2: Identify The Correct Word
Read each sentence below and identify whether aggravate or exasperate is the correct word to use:
- The loud music ___________ me.
- Her constant nagging ___________ her husband.
- The slow traffic ___________ the driver.
- His lack of punctuality ___________ his boss.
Answer Key:
- exasperated
- exasperated
- aggravated
- aggravated
By practicing these exercises, you will gain a better understanding of how to use aggravate and exasperate correctly in your writing and speech.
Conclusion
After exploring the differences between aggravate and exasperate, it is clear that these two words are often used interchangeably but have distinct meanings. Aggravate refers to making a problem or situation worse, while exasperate refers to causing annoyance or frustration.
It is important to use these words correctly in order to convey the intended meaning and avoid confusion. By paying attention to the context and connotations of each word, writers can choose the appropriate word for their message.
Key Takeaways
- Aggravate and exasperate have different meanings.
- Aggravate refers to making a problem or situation worse.
- Exasperate refers to causing annoyance or frustration.
- Using these words correctly is important for clear communication.
Remember, language is a powerful tool that can impact how we are perceived and understood. By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, we can improve our communication skills and convey our messages effectively.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.