as in to worsen
to make more severe
a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The news exacerbated a sell-off in AI names Tuesday as investor concerns about sky-high valuations deepened.
—
Yun Li, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
If Beijing now doubles down on subsidizing both cutting-edge and traditional industries, the result could be an even greater glut of Chinese products globally, exacerbating trade frictions.
—Shaoyu Yuan, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025
Currently, America has a market economy that is controlled by private individuals and corporations, which critics say has exacerbated wealth inequality by giving disproportionate power to business owners.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
The federal shutdown has exacerbated longstanding staffing shortages within air traffic control, causing many critical personnel to work extended shifts without pay.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Yun Li, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
If Beijing now doubles down on subsidizing both cutting-edge and traditional industries, the result could be an even greater glut of Chinese products globally, exacerbating trade frictions.
—Shaoyu Yuan, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025
Currently, America has a market economy that is controlled by private individuals and corporations, which critics say has exacerbated wealth inequality by giving disproportionate power to business owners.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
The federal shutdown has exacerbated longstanding staffing shortages within air traffic control, causing many critical personnel to work extended shifts without pay.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate
Verb
-
The government shutdown threatens that economic output, and according to Schroeder, almost all service members are at serious threat of missing a paycheck if the shutdown extends into mid-November, worsening the situation.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Oct. 2025
-
But his blunt dismissal of APEC risks worsening America’s reputation at a forum that represents nearly 40% of the world’s population and more than half of global goods trade.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Japan, one of the world’s most homogeneous nations, faces deepening labor shortages as its birth rate plummets and its population ages.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Using fractional diffusion theory, the research deepens understanding of transient charging behaviors in complex materials, which is key to designing high-performance components used for advanced engineering electrochemical systems in general.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Petrol price increases and the naira currency’s unstable exchange rate to the dollar had driven inflation beyond 30% last year, aggravating a cost of living crisis.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
30 Oct. 2025
-
There are signs that the Russian military is repeatedly hitting the same areas to aggravate the population’s suffering.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Violence has intensified, humanitarian aid remains blocked, and political prisoners, including my mother, remain behind bars.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Yet even among a number of Christians seeking to raise awareness and intensify efforts to put an end to systematic abuses committed by Boko Haram and other jihadi movements, the prospect of foreign intervention raises serious concerns.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But the Supreme Court ruling and ongoing redistricting measures may complicate the political landscape even further.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The aftermath of a ruling against him also could be complicated, if the government must issue refunds for the tariffs that had collected $195 billion in revenue as of September.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share