Main Entry: ex·ac·er·bate

Pronunciation: \ig-ˈzas-ər-ˌbāt\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): ex·ac·er·bat·ed; ex·ac·er·bat·ing

: to cause (a disease or its symptoms) to become more severe <her condition was exacerbated by lack of care>

—ex·ac·er·ba·tion \-ˌzas-ər-ˈbā-shən\ noun