aggravators
Things making worse
Aggravators are things that make a situation worse or more serious.
In legal contexts, aggravating factors are circumstances that increase the severity of a crime or its punishment: The jury considered several aggravators, including premeditation.
More loosely, aggravators are sources of irritation—people or things that provoke annoyance: My coworkers are the biggest aggravators in my life.
Those who incite discord
- instigatorsThose who initiate trouble
- troublemakersThose causing problems deliberately
- agitatorsThose who incite disturbance
- rabble-rousersThose inciting public disorder
inciters · firebrands · stirrers · needlers · baiters · hecklers · tormentors · pests
Increase in degree
- exacerbationMaking something more severe
- worseningBecoming more severe
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- heighteningIncreasing in degree
compounding · acceleration · spiral · buildup · provocation · incitement · fuel · catalyst
provocateurs
Those who incite discord
- instigatorsThose who initiate trouble
- troublemakersThose causing problems deliberately
- agitatorsThose who incite disturbance
rabble-rousers · inciters · firebrands · stirrers · needlers · baiters · hecklers · tormentors · pests · nuisances
intensification
Increase in degree
- exacerbationMaking something more severe
- worseningBecoming more severe
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
heightening · compounding · acceleration · spiral · buildup · provocation · incitement · fuel · catalyst · inflammation
allergens
Immune reaction triggers
mold · smoke · dander · mites · pollutants · chemicals · fragrances · perfume · toxins · pesticides
pressure
Force upon contact
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- burnoutChronic occupational depletion
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
strain · distress · overwhelm · exhaustion · worry · insomnia · deadlines · overwork · noise · crowds
- negativistspessimists, defeatists, doomers, doomsayers, negative Nellies
aggravatorsmitigators
Things that lessen severity
mitigating factors · mitigating circumstances · extenuating circumstances · palliatives · extenuating factors
aggravatorssoothers
Things providing comfort
pacifiers · alleviators · relievers · buffers · stabilizers