aggravate

AG'GRAVATE, verb transitive [Latin aggravo, of ad and gravis, heavy. See Grave, Gravity.] 1. To make heavy, but not used in this literal sense. Figuratively, to make worse, more severe, or less tolerable; as, to aggravate the evils of life; to aggravate pain or punishment. 2. To make more enormous, or less excusable; as, to aggravate a crime. 3. To exaggerate. 4. To give coloring in description; to give an exaggerated representation; as, to aggravate a charge against an offender; to aggravate circumstances. The propriety of the word in the latter passage is questionable. aggravate is generally used in reference to evils, or something improper or unnatural.