exacerbate
verb (used with object)
to increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of (disease, ill feeling, etc.); aggravate.
was exacerbating
-
past progressiveof exacerbate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
But in Monterey County, one of the more expensive regions in the nation, the obligation to provide an exploding number of guest workers with suitable housing was exacerbating a regional affordable housing crisis.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 10, 2025
South Kivu’s governor, who hails from Lwiro himself, told the BBC the intense fighting was driving many from their homes to his province, which was exacerbating the spread of the disease.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2024
“We cannot disengage despite the challenges,” the U.N. chief said and also urged funding for aid operations, saying the ban was exacerbating already low levels of funding.
From Seattle Times ● May 5, 2023
It has since become clearer that many companies were meanwhile rebuilding their margins on price hikes in a way that was exacerbating inflation - something policymakers at the European Central Bank now acknowledge.
From Reuters ● Apr. 4, 2023
It was a sickeningly aggrandizing clump that was exacerbating itself within her stomach; and it made her doubt the efficacy of the plan.
From Tokyo to Tijuana: Gabriele Departing America by Steven (Steven David Justin) Sills
