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
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
-
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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The story attracted her first, a heartwarming narrative about an aquarium cleaner (Field) who looks after a giant Pacific octopus (voiced by Alfred Molina) and the young drifter (Lewis Pullman) who deepens both their lives while doing his own soul-searching.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
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Just Women’s Sports Named WNBA Emerging Media Partner Just Women’s Sports has been named an Emerging Media Partner of the WNBA ahead of the 2026 season, deepening its investment in women’s basketball.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The props, theatrical at times, seemed to aggravate Waters, then the Democratic chairwoman of the Financial Services Committee.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
When asked if there was one particular incident that aggravated the knee, Webb pointed to his recent start against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 30.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
9 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 democratization of drone warfare complicates traditional counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations, requiring new doctrines, technologies, and legislative frameworks to confront the evolving threat landscape.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
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Meloni is reeling from a referendum defeat in March and facing domestic opposition to the war, complicating her position.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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