What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
aggravate
Example
The loud noise aggravated my headache. [aggravated: past tense]
Example
Don't aggravate your sister by teasing her. [aggravate: verb]
Example
Eating spicy food can aggravate acid reflux. [aggravate: verb]
provoke
Example
He was provoked into a fight by the other guy's insults. [provoked: past participle]
Example
Her comments were intended to provoke a reaction from the audience. [provoke: verb]
Example
The economic crisis provoked widespread protests. [provoked: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Aggravate and provoke are both commonly used in everyday language, but aggravate may be more frequently used in medical or technical contexts, while provoke may be more commonly used in social or political contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between aggravate and provoke?
Both aggravate and provoke are relatively formal words, but aggravate may be slightly more technical or specialized in certain contexts.
