as in worsening
to make more severe
a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem
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Recent Examples of exacerbating
Climate change was an important theme in the 2022 report, described as an emerging threat exacerbating other challenges.
—
Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The closure came amid a prolonged employee strike that has been going on since last summer, with a major heist in October further exacerbating the situation.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
And exacerbating rising costs and extended timelines, there has been a pull back of investment in the biotech sector.
—Shimite Obialo, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Mold, lack of heat, inadequate ventilation, infestations and lead are just some threats to tenants’ health in substandard housing, often exacerbating chronic illnesses such as asthma and lung disease.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2026
High winds were exacerbating dry conditions and raising fire risks, especially in the Fort Collins Area and northeastern Colorado, agency officials said.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
The Millennium schools offered nearly double the number of sports teams as the other athletics department in the building, exacerbating unease that the programs were competing with each other for limited space and resources.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026
Increasing temperatures are causing sea level rise and exacerbating extreme weather.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2026
Efforts to address the depletion of groundwater present complex challenges for communities and government agencies in Arizona, California and other Western states, where climate change is exacerbating strains on water supplies.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The closure came amid a prolonged employee strike that has been going on since last summer, with a major heist in October further exacerbating the situation.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
And exacerbating rising costs and extended timelines, there has been a pull back of investment in the biotech sector.
—Shimite Obialo, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Mold, lack of heat, inadequate ventilation, infestations and lead are just some threats to tenants’ health in substandard housing, often exacerbating chronic illnesses such as asthma and lung disease.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2026
High winds were exacerbating dry conditions and raising fire risks, especially in the Fort Collins Area and northeastern Colorado, agency officials said.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
The Millennium schools offered nearly double the number of sports teams as the other athletics department in the building, exacerbating unease that the programs were competing with each other for limited space and resources.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026
Increasing temperatures are causing sea level rise and exacerbating extreme weather.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2026
Efforts to address the depletion of groundwater present complex challenges for communities and government agencies in Arizona, California and other Western states, where climate change is exacerbating strains on water supplies.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbating
Verb
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Oil revenue is a key part of Russia's economy, allowing President Vladimir Putin to pour money into the war effort against Ukraine without worsening inflation and avoiding a currency collapse.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
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In December in San Francisco, hundreds of Waymo vehicles stalled in traffic amid a power outage, worsening the resulting chaos.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The one-day workshop brings together Phambassadors for speaker sessions, storytelling workshops and community-building — all in the name of deepening the Philly love.—
Nikki DeMentri,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Born Again is a worthy follow-up to its original series, deepening its themes of corruption and justice with Cox and D'Onofrio continuing to deliver committed performances.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Main roadways have improved, but City of Memphis Public Works Director Scott Morgan on Tuesday said the sleet that had frozen on top of the snow was complicating plowing efforts.—
Jack Armstrong,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
28 Jan. 2026
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She was also criticized for encouraging violence against Black Africans who supported the Apartheid regime, complicating her legacy.—
Jeremy Helligar,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exacerbating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbating. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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