\Ag"gra*vate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Aggravated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Aggravating}.] [L. aggravatus, p. p. of
aggravare. See {Aggrieve}.]
1. To make heavy or heavier; to add to; to increase. [Obs.]
   ``To aggravate thy store.'' --Shak.
2. To make worse, or more severe; to render less tolerable or
   less excusable; to make more offensive; to enhance; to
   intensify. ``To aggravate my woes.'' --Pope.
         To aggravate the horrors of the scene. --Prescott.
         The defense made by the prisoner's counsel did
         rather aggravate than extenuate his crime.
                                               --Addison.
3. To give coloring to in description; to exaggerate; as, to
   aggravate circumstances. --Paley.
4. To exasperate; to provoke; to irritate. [Colloq.]
         If both were to aggravate her parents, as my brother
         and sister do mine.                   --Richardson
                                               (Clarissa).
Syn: To heighten; intensify; increase; magnify; exaggerate;
     provoke; irritate; exasperate.