exacerbated

American  

[ig-zas-er-bey-tid, ek-sas-] / ɪgˈzæs ərˌbeɪ tɪd, ɛkˈsæs- /

adjective

1. made worse, more severe, or more bitter; aggravated.

   The Economic Policy Institute recently released a study showing evidence of an exacerbated income gap between rich and poor.

2. feeling or showing embitterment, irritation, or exasperation.

   With an exacerbated huff, the gunslinger hauled a second revolver from his shoulder, training its barrel on the captain.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of exacerbate.

Other Word Forms

• unexacerbated adjective

Etymology

Origin of exacerbated

exacerbate ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

The stampede was said to have started near the entrance to the site and was exacerbated by the onset of heavy rain.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

“Many impacted residents have taken no action to rebuild because they lack the capital to move forward — an issue exacerbated by delayed insurance payouts.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

But firms say the exodus of individual money from the business could ease the competition that’s pinched lending margins and exacerbated the profit pinch from declining interest rates.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

However, February’s decline in retail sales will be exacerbated in the coming months as consumers are still hit with the inflation shock, Pantheon Macroeconomics’ Ankita Amajuri said in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

To keep Ngawang from having to exert himself, which would have exacerbated his edema, at several points during the descent, Beidleman picked up the ailing Sherpa and carried him on his back.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer