as in to worsen
to make more severe a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exacerbate Mobius added that the country’s currency collapse has also exacerbated the loss of investor confidence and capital flight. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 July 2025 Those were exacerbated by the project running nearly nine months over schedule due to weather and construction delays. Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025 The Pacers, last season’s surprise East champions, must now take a gap year because of Tyrese Haliburton’s torn Achilles, their situation exacerbated by the departure of center Myles Turner to their rival, the Milwaukee Bucks. Jared Weiss, New York Times, 8 July 2025 Poor sleep exacerbates many of the chronic conditions that the movement is focused on remedying. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate
Verb
  • Sweden reintroduced a gender-neutral draft in 2017 citing worsening security conditions, while Norway became the first NATO country to implement gender-equal conscription in 2013.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • This can lead to more frequent awakenings, shallower sleep and worsened airway instability, resulting in more apnea events.
    Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • My top goal is to deepen team alignment around our core mission, as clarity drives performance.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • While focused largely on political rights, the U.N. report also highlights Venezuela’s deepening economic collapse.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • His financial problems were aggravated by a nationwide economic downturn in 1873.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • Under Colorado statute, blighted properties are areas that are hazardous to public health, impede housing and aggravate traffic problems, among several other factors.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Recent layoff announcements have only intensified these concerns.
    C200, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Russia recently has intensified its airstrikes on civilian areas.
    Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • The case presents a unique test of NIL outside the college sports landscape and in a setting where a player contract and collective bargaining agreements complicate the situation.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 July 2025
  • This exhaustive scientific work is complicated by ongoing legal and ethical concerns.
    Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 July 2025

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“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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