EXACERBATE Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

exacerbate

verb

ig-ˈza-sər-ˌbāt

Definition of exacerbate

as in to worsen

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

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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 Not only should the ride have never malfunctioned, but the crisis was further exacerbated by the lack of a safety plan at Oaks Park. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 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. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 Some of the highest temperatures have been felt in the capital, where urban streets and a naturally warmer, drier climate exacerbated the national trend. — Olivia Rudgard, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exacerbate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate

Verb

Ford said in an interview published Monday that Canada should be prepared to cut off electricity exports to the United States if the trade war worsens, putting a potentially powerful weapon on the table.

— Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
According to a recent survey published by Deloitte, consumer sentiment remains shaky, with 57% of Americans expecting the economy to worsen in the next six months — the highest figure the company has reported since 2020.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of worsen

Verb

One of the most powerful figures in Iran has said that the US campaign of maximum economic pressure will fail — in a further sign that Iran’s hardline leadership is unwilling to compromise despite a deepening economic crisis.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Since then, my curiosity about this particular repertory blind spot of mine has deepened to an extent.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of deepen

Verb

Concerns intensified earlier this month when a 30-year Treasury auction drew weaker demand than the prior month, despite elevated yields.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Netanyahu and Erdogan have a long-running public feud, which intensified dramatically during the wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of intensify

Verb

Finding a job has rarely been easy, but in 2026, fierce competition, the growing use of artificial intelligence and a lack of trust in employers have further complicated the process.

— Rachel Barber, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
The details of the investigation are complicated, to say the least, but the short version is that two companies Walter controls, both insurance companies, used investor funds on private-credit deals, essentially making loans directly to businesses.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of complicate

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exacerbate

exacerbated

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“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of exacerbate

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