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
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Recent Examples of exacerbate
As fires exacerbated by climate change became more common, some insurers stopped taking new customers or even dropped out of the state.
—
Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
Punching Bags Institutional landlords have been favored punching bags over the last decade, with critics painting the firms as profiteers that gained from the US foreclosure crisis and exacerbated affordability challenges that have reached historic proportions.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
The risks inherent in the LBO structure are exacerbated by the amount of debt PSKY must incur, its current financial position and future prospects, as well as the lengthy period to close the transaction – which PSKY itself estimates to be 12-18 months following signing.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Repealing this could exacerbate the negative effects of climate change, endanger public health and potentially slow the economy, local environmental advocates told IndyStar in July.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
Punching Bags Institutional landlords have been favored punching bags over the last decade, with critics painting the firms as profiteers that gained from the US foreclosure crisis and exacerbated affordability challenges that have reached historic proportions.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
The risks inherent in the LBO structure are exacerbated by the amount of debt PSKY must incur, its current financial position and future prospects, as well as the lengthy period to close the transaction – which PSKY itself estimates to be 12-18 months following signing.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Repealing this could exacerbate the negative effects of climate change, endanger public health and potentially slow the economy, local environmental advocates told IndyStar in July.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate
Verb
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The city said the decision was a result of several years worth of mounting safety concerns, ordinance violations and residential complaints about the vacant structure’s worsening state.—
Anna Ortiz,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
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The immense costs associated with the program have only worsened the economic situation, leading to a more stifling environment.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Congress members’ own backgrounds, largely shaped by selective public and private universities, only deepen the disconnect.—
Yolanda Watson Spiva,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
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This experience has deepened my faith and commitment to working for His kingdom as a true follower of Jesus Christ.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The model comes with three attachments, including a crevice tool that helps remove allergy-aggravating dust, pet hair, and debris.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
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The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't make any moves at the NFL trade deadline, aggravating their fanbase in the process.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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For immigration advocates in the Bay Area, Good’s death has intensified long-standing concerns about intimidation and retaliation against those who monitor federal agents.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The chaos intensified after someone threw a snowball.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Elhawary acknowledged the billionaire tax proposal is a complicating factor in discussions about taxes, which is already a politically fraught issue.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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Mental advocates pointed to one misunderstood aspect of a serious mental illness, which complicates ideas of patient autonomy and choice.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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