as in to worsen
to make more severe
a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem
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Recent Examples of exacerbate
The economic fallout of the Iran war has exacerbated this issue.
—
Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 May 2026
The middle-class and poorest New Yorkers have borne the brunt of rising health, food, utility and now fuel costs, exacerbated by these federal tax policies.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
Experts have warned that this paucity of water, already a significant problem in Iran’s typically arid environment, will be exacerbated by climate change.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
However, the North Carolina Nurses Association notes that the data used in the projection was collected prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which likely exacerbated both burnout and early retirement.
—Eva Flowe
may 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 May 2026
The middle-class and poorest New Yorkers have borne the brunt of rising health, food, utility and now fuel costs, exacerbated by these federal tax policies.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
Experts have warned that this paucity of water, already a significant problem in Iran’s typically arid environment, will be exacerbated by climate change.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
However, the North Carolina Nurses Association notes that the data used in the projection was collected prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which likely exacerbated both burnout and early retirement.
—Eva Flowe
may 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate
Verb
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Overreliance on one industry makes economies betting on high-tech development vulnerable to market corrections, if AI development falters, or if worsening commodities shortages eventually hinder production of electronic components.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
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According to the National Institutes of Health's Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, Schwartz-Jampel syndrome is a condition where the muscles permanently stiffen and a person has bone abnormalities called chondrodysplasia, both of which can worsen over time.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
Verb
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These are the services that reduce harm and support reintegration, unlike arrests that only deepen instability.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
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Relations between China and Russia have deepened in recent years, particularly since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 left Moscow shunned on the global stage and heavily reliant on Beijing for trade due to Western sanctions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Verb
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All of this was aggravated by a raft of economic uncertainties, from weak domestic consumption to the threat of a historic trade war with the US, leaving the keenest buyers, like Cai, to think twice before entering the market.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
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Raleigh left the Mariners’ 4-3 loss to the Houston Astros on Thursday after appearing to aggravate an injury on his right side.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Geomagnetic conditions are expected to intensify late tonight into early tomorrow, if the CME swipes Earth, according to the latest forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
12 May 2026
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Her decision comes as South Florida Democrats are also grappling with a new state redistricting map that has scrambled the political landscape and intensified intra-party conflict over which candidates will ultimately run where.—
Kiara Moore,
The Washington Examiner,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The goal wasn’t to shape or combat any one particular narrative, but to complicate the entire story through brute force.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
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According to the company, this increases costs, limits flexibility, and complicates maintenance.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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