AGGRAVATE

v. 1 worsen, intensify, exacerbate, heighten, magnify, increase; inflame They introduce new problems and aggravate the old ones 2 exasperate, frustrate; anger, incense, infuriate; provoke, irritate, nettle, rile, vex, annoy, harass, hector, bother; embitter, rankle, Colloq peeve, needle, get on one's nerves; Slang Brit give (someone) aggro Threats only serve to aggravate people