According to Merriam-Websterâs dictionary, aggravating is defined as arousing displeasure, impatience, or anger. In the reading “Sweatâ by Zora Neale Hurston, the word appears on page 272 in the sixth paragraph as stated âYou sho is one aggravatinâ nigger woman!â he declared and stepped into the room. She resumed her work and did not answer him at once. âAh done tole you time and again to keep them white folksâ clothes outa dis house.â Now knowing what this word means, Delia been getting on his nerves by refusing to listen to his orders and as a result, is often mistreated by her husband physically and mentally, by using the whip.