Enhance vs aggravate vs worsen

[Monica238]

How to choose synonyms when working with a literary text? For example, a Russian dictionary gives a few synonyms for "worsen", but in which word would be suitable in this context enhance or aggravate with "fears" ?

As a woman she sensed evil, as an astute politician she was aware of the inevitability. Conversations with Francesco enhanced her fears. Only in her prayers she found peace.

For context, it is about a complicated relationship between two young people. She is afraid the relationship will end in divorce. It's only a short extract.

 

[Tegs]

Please tell us the source of this extract.

 

[Monica238]

Please tell us the source of this extract.

It's my sister's novel. It's in Russian.

 

[Tegs]

Thanks, so to clarify, you've translated this yourself?

 

[Monica238]

Thanks, so to clarify, you've translated this yourself?

Yes, I have.

 

[Tegs]

Enhance is generally used in positive contexts so it doesn't work here. You can aggravate a person but it sounds odd in the context of fears.

"Worsen" is what naturally occurs to me with fears. It's not clear why you don't want to use that word, but you could replace it with "intensify" if you like.

 

[Monica238]

Enhance is generally used in positive contexts so it doesn't work here. You can aggravate a person but it sounds odd in the context of fears.

"Worsen" is what naturally occurs to me with fears. It's not clear why you don't want to use that word, but you could replace it with "intensify" if you like.

Sorry, what do you mean by "You can aggravate a person but it sounds odd in the context of fears"?

 

[Tegs]

I mean this sentence sounds fine:
Francesco aggravates me (=Francesco annoys me)

But this sentence sounds odd:
Francesco aggravated my fears.

 

[JulianStuart]

aggravate - WordReference.com Dictionary of English (an interesting usage note in the link)
There are two different meanings for aggravate - one means to make more serious and the other is to annoy/irritate. In this case, I think the fear could be made worse/stronger/more intense so using it with the first meaning would be appropriate.

 

[Monica238]

aggravate - WordReference.com Dictionary of English (an interesting usage note in the link)
There are two different meanings for aggravate - one means to make more serious and the other is to annoy/irritate. In this case, I think the fear could be made worse/stronger/more intense so using it with the first meaning would be appropriate.

So I can use Francesco aggravated her fears. Right?

 

[JulianStuart]

But it's the conversations that aggravated her fear, not just Franco, right? Franco aggravated her fears does sound odd.

Heightened or increased might work better, I think.

 

[Monica238]

But it's the conversations that aggravated her fear, not just Franco, right? Franco aggravated her fears does sound odd.

Heightened or increased might work better, I think.

Again when talking about the conversations. Right? But which verb can be used to talk about the person that causes worsens another person's fears?

 

[JulianStuart]

Again when talking about the conversations. Right? But which verb can be used to talk about the person that causes worsens another person's fears?

I based my response on the OP on what fits in the blank.
Conversations with Francesco ________ her fears.

 

[Monica238]

I based my response on the OP on what fits in the blank.
Conversations with Francesco ________ her fears.

"...worsened, aggravated, heightened or increased her fears." Right?

 

[lentulax]

So I can use Francesco aggravated her fears. Right?

That would be my choice.

 

[Monica238]

That would be my choice.

So it depends on personal preference, doesn't it? Because it sounds odd to some native speakers.

 

[lentulax]

So it depends on personal preference, doesn't it? Because it sounds odd to some native speakers.

My apologies; since there was some difference of opinion, I was just adding my vote, but I did it rather carelessly, I'm afraid. You'd asked about 'Francesco aggravated her fears' - that sounds odd to me too.I meant to agree with the choice of 'aggravated', in 'Conversations with Francesco aggravated her fears.' Sorry about the confusion.