to excite to impatience or anger; annoy.

Physiology, Biology . to excite (a living system) to some characteristic action or function.

Pathology . to bring (a body part) to an abnormally excited or sensitive condition.

to cause irritation or become irritated.

verb

aid , assuage , delight , help , please , assist , calm , soothe

verb

abrade , affront , aggravate , annoy , bother , bug * , burn * , chafe , confuse , distemper , disturb , drive up the wall , enrage , exasperate , fret , gall , get , get on nerves , get under skin , grate , harass , incense , inflame , infuriate , irk , madden , needle * , nettle , offend , pain , peeve , pester , pique , provoke , put out , rankle , rasp , rattle , rile , roil , rub the wrong way * , ruffle , sour , try , vexnotes:aggravate means \'to add to\' an already troublesome or vexing matter or condition while irritate means \'to vex , or chafe\'irritate means \'inflame\' (originally \'excite , rouse\'); aggravate means \'worsen\' , burn , erupt , intensify , itch , redden , rub , sensitize , sharpen , sting , swellnotes:aggravate means \'to add to\' an already troublesome or vexing matter or condition while irritate means \'to vex , bug , vex , excoriate , acerbate , anger , badger , bait , excite , goad , harry , hector , hurt , miff , nag , needle , rib , stimulate , tease , upset