Master confusing words with ease
Irritate vs. Aggravate
Irritate
/ˈɪrəteɪt/Examples:
The loud music began to irritate my sensitive ears.Her constant interruptions started to irritate him.Rubbing the skin with wool can irritate it severely.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Aggravate
/ˈæɡrəveɪt/Examples:
Loud noises aggravate her migraine immensely.Unnecessary delays only aggravate the situation.His comments served to aggravate their disagreement.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Irritate often refers to causing minor annoyance or discomfort, similar to what a fly buzzing around your head might do.
- Aggravate suggests making a condition worse or more severe, like adding fuel to a fire.
- Irritate is often used when talking about skin or nerves that cause mild physical discomfort.
- Aggravate can also mean to intensify feelings of anger or frustration.
- Remember that irritation is often temporary and minor, while aggravation implies a worsening state.
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