exacerbate

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

/ ɪgˈzæs ərˌbeɪt, ɛkˈsæs- /

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verb (used with object), ex·ac·er·bat·ed, ex·ac·er·bat·ing.

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

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

Nearby words

ex-works, ex., ex. doc., exa-, exabyte, exacerbate, exacerbation, exact, exact differential, exact science, exacta

Origin of exacerbate

1650–60; < Latin exacerbātus (past participle of exacerbāre to exasperate, provoke), equivalent to ex- ex-¹ + acerbātus acerbate

SYNONYMS FOR exacerbate

1 intensify, inflame, worsen.

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ANTONYMS FOR exacerbate

1 relieve, soothe, alleviate.

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Related forms

ex·ac·er·bat·ing·ly, adverbex·ac·er·ba·tion, nounun·ex·ac·er·bat·ed, adjectiveun·ex·ac·er·bat·ing, adjective

Can be confused

exacerbate exasperate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for exacerbated

The panic is exacerbated when those still working presumably safely in the affected areas are worried, too.
Ebola-Fueled Racism Is on the Rise in Europe|Barbie Latza Nadeau|August 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As with the drug trade, much of the violence associated with sex work is exacerbated by its illegality.
Why It's Time to Legalize Prostitution|Cathy Reisenwitz|August 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This was exacerbated by two years in Turkey where he says, “the only option is to live underground and survive.”
A Maple Syrup Mecca for Iran’s Gays|Nina Strochlic|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The problem has been exacerbated as programs become fewer and larger.
Why the World’s Armies Don’t Want U.S. Tech Anymore|Bill Sweetman|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But Cantor also exacerbated things by failing at attempts to play internal politics within the Republican Party of Virginia.
How Eric Cantor Sabotaged Himself|Ben Jacobs, Tim Mak|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And by reason of his exacerbated temper he became the most personal writer of his generation.
Egoists|James Huneker
The scene of the night before, which ought to have exacerbated his senses, produced exactly the opposite effect.
L-bas|J. K. Huysmans
The pains are not exacerbated at night, but, on the contrary, are often more severe by day.
A System of Practical Medicine By American Authors, Vol. II|Various
It exacerbated the feelings of the nation's largest minority toward the Army and multiplied demands for change.
Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965|Morris J. MacGregor, Jr.
What exacerbated his feeling about Mrs. Harrowdean was a new line she had recently taken with regard to Mrs. Britling.
Mr. Britling Sees It Through|H. G. Wells

British Dictionary definitions for exacerbated

exacerbate

/ (ɪɡˈzæsəˌbeɪt, ɪkˈsæs-) /

verb (tr)

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

to exasperate or irritate (a person)

Derived Forms

exacerbation, noun

Word Origin for exacerbate

C17: from Latin exacerbāre to irritate, from acerbus bitter

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

exacerbate

verb (used with object), ex·ac·er·bat·ed, ex·ac·er·bat·ing.

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of exacerbate

SYNONYMS FOR exacerbate

ANTONYMS FOR exacerbate

Related forms

Can be confused

Examples from the Web for exacerbated

British Dictionary definitions for exacerbated

exacerbate

verb (tr)

Derived Forms

Word Origin for exacerbate