aggravate vs irritate
Definitions
verb
- exasperate or irritate
- make worse
Examples
Nevertheless, the international credit crunch and the weakening of global growth will "aggravate" the slowdown of the Icelandic economy, Mr. Haarde said.
Scented candles, especially the industrial strength and size that many people light around the holidays, give off more than fragrance-studies show they produce tiny bits of pollution known as particulates that can inflame the respiratory tract and aggravate asthma, Dr. Sublett says.
Did you know that the way that you wrap the yarn around the needle can affect the twist and cause the fabric to bias or that continental style knitting can aggravate carpal tunnel syndrome?
Definitions
verb
- excite to an abnormal condition, or chafe or inflame
- cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
- excite to some characteristic action or condition, such as motion, contraction, or nervous impulse, by the application of a stimulus
Examples
Skin is easily irritated, chapped, chafed, and sensitized.
Without the protection of the eyelid, the inside of the eyelid and the surface of your eye may become dry, irritated and inflamed.
The squatting man, suddenly irritated, sat back to look up at her.
