Select the most appropriate antonym of the word 'allay' as used in the sentence: 'Elisabeth stood at the piano, which did nothing to allay his anxiety.'

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The word 'allay' means to reduce, relieve, or diminish (something, such as pain or anxiety). Its antonym would be a word that means to increase or intensify. Among the options, 'mitigate' and 'mollify' both mean to lessen or soothe, which are synonyms of 'allay'. 'Simplify' is unrelated to the meaning of 'allay'. 'Aggravate' means to make worse or intensify, which is the opposite of 'allay'. Therefore, the correct answer is 'aggravate'.

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