exacerbate
verb (used with object)
to increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of (disease, ill feeling, etc.); aggravate.
were exacerbating
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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.
The National Weather Service Los Angeles said weather conditions were exacerbating the Line fire into a “dangerous situation.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2024
These shortages, caused by not having enough migrant workers, were "exacerbating" the rate of inflation by contributing to higher food prices, along with rising energy costs, he argued.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2023
Even after she learned rodent droppings were exacerbating her son’s asthma, her family couldn’t move without approval, because they receive a rent subsidy from the Housing Authority.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 3, 2022
“I had told them that was going to happen, because they were exacerbating distrust. So I called the mayor, and I was livid. I was like: ‘You know, this is ridiculous.
From New York Times ● Sep. 28, 2016
Oudea said the banking sector recognized that overall profits would have to come down as business models adapt to new rules, but he said conflicting demands on the sector were exacerbating its problems.
From Reuters ● Jun. 29, 2012
