exacerbate
verb (used with object)
to increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of (disease, ill feeling, etc.); aggravate.
exacerbating
-
present participleof exacerbate.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Major markets may be taking their signal from U.S. bonds, but credibility gaps in Europe are exacerbating the moves, they added.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026
Scientists broadly agree that the globalized weather impacts of El Nino stack on top of climate change -- exacerbating rainfall in some places, drought and heat in others.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
Climate change is expected to continue exacerbating cases in the years to come, warned Matt Willis, an epidemiologist and former former Marin County public health officer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
"Abdominal obesity reduces circulating vitamin D, and that deficiency impairs the immune system, exacerbating the chronic inflammation caused by excess fat and drastically increasing the risk of mortality," Alexandre explains to Agência FAPESP.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026
If he jumped off now, Seabiscuit, obedient to equine instinct to flee pain, would probably tear over the track, exacerbating his injury.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
