noun

aggravation

ag-ruh-VAY-shun/ˌæɡrəˈveɪʃn/

An increase in trouble or irritation.

The second leak adds aggravation as water spills over the bucket.

An annoyed woman tries to fix a leaking tap just as a second drip begins splashing into the overflowing bucket, expression showing a problem becoming worse; only sink fragment and bucket.

Etymology

agLatinto, in addition

+gravLatinweigh down

+ationLatinaction or process

Adding weight became an image for increasing a problem’s seriousness or oppressiveness. The word also developed the sense of irritation, giving the modern meaning of annoyance.

In context

Frederic Obrien11:56

the aggravation I might say would be that due to the dampness or the humidity we would get up in the morning and open our clothes closet and we'd find that our shoes were full of mold

The History of the Panama Canal documentary

More examples

The doctor noted an aggravation of her existing symptoms.
He learned to tolerate the small aggravations of city life.
The broken printer caused hours of needless aggravation.

Forms

aggravation · aggravations

aggravate verb — To worsen a problem or cause irritation.

Similar words

irritation: Emphasizes annoyance rather than the worsening of a condition.
exacerbation: Specifically emphasizes an increase in the severity of a problem.