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

“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

There are big challenges in each chapter of life, and those can be exacerbated by adverse economic events.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

There are examples in history when contractionary monetary and fiscal policy exacerbated recessions already under way.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

France’s upcoming 10.5 billion-12.5 billion euros auction of long-dated government bonds likely exacerbated selling in French bonds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 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