exacerbate

[ig-zas-er-beyt, ek-sas-]

verb (used with object)

exacerbated, exacerbating 

1. to increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of (disease, ill feeling, etc.); aggravate.

   Synonyms: worsen, inflame, intensify, intensify
   Antonyms: alleviate, soothe, soothe, relieve

2. to embitter the feelings of (a person); irritate; exasperate.

exacerbate

/ ɪɡˈzæsəˌbeɪt, ɪkˈsæs- /

verb

1. to make (pain, disease, emotion, etc) more intense; aggravate

2. to exasperate or irritate (a person)

Other Word Forms

• exacerbatingly adverb
• exacerbation noun
• unexacerbating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exacerbate¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin exacerbātus (past participle of exacerbāre “to exasperate, provoke”), equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + acerbātus acerbate

Word History and Origins

Origin of exacerbate¹

C17: from Latin exacerbāre to irritate, from acerbus bitter

Example Sentences

Recent state and federal spending cuts will pull dollars out of an already frayed health system, exacerbating the shortage of care and making its efforts more challenging.

From Los Angeles Times

Aid organizations accuse groups like Abu Shabab’s of looting aid convoys, having ties to extremist groups and exacerbating famine in Gaza.

From Los Angeles Times

“The loss of more rent-controlled housing is not going to solve our housing crisis. It’s just going to exacerbate it.”

From Los Angeles Times

The family said their unhappiness with Sir Jim has been exacerbated by the fact the GMC had lifted restrictions on Ms Booth's practice following an initial investigation.

From BBC

Those issues were only exacerbated last week in the absence of safety Kamari Ramsey, who had recently taken over relaying calls from the sideline to the secondary.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aggravate 
• annoy 
• heighten 
• inflame 
• intensify 
• irritate 
• provoke 
• worsen