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exacerbate

verb

ig-ˈza-sər-ˌbāt How to pronounce exacerbate (audio)
Definition of exacerbatenext
as in to worsen
to make more severe a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem

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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 Some of us would like to spend less time cursing sun damage, some of us have been honing a gentle routine for managing acne for years, and some of us want to smooth without exacerbating rosacea or eczema. — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026 His condition was reportedly exacerbated after his jail stint in August 2021. — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026 Higher mortgage costs can exacerbate the housing affordability crisis sweeping over America. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026 Fasting may exacerbate them, especially in people who are prone to an upset stomach. — Reed Berger-Fleishman, The Conversation, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate
  1. worsen
  2. deepen
  3. aggravate
  4. intensify
  5. complicate
Verb
  • Attacks by Yemen’s Houthis against Saudi energy infrastructure drove oil prices towards the $100 a barrel mark, as fears grow that the largely dormant Middle East conflict is worsening.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The worsening economic crisis led to weakness in the labor market, allowing employers to engage in wage repression and leading to further pressure on household incomes.
    — Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of worsen
Verb
  • Rather than directly monetizing the platform, Nvidia can deepen developer loyalty, make its hardware and software a natural choice for deploying AI models, and keep a strategic asset out of competitors' hands.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026
  • And suppose, additionally, that Haidt is also right, and that—for many kids—smartphones are deepening these problems and adding new ones.
    — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of deepen
Verb
  • In what would be a big blow to fantasy football managers, Baltimore Ravens star receiver Zay Flowers was absent from Wednesday’s practice session, three days after aggravating his hamstring injury in Sunday’s win at Indianapolis.
    — Andy Behrens, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • First baseman Freddie Freeman was out of the lineup Monday managing right knee soreness, and second baseman Miguel Rojas was playing through shoulder soreness after aggravating a longstanding partial tear in a labrum.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggravate
Verb
  • Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned Sunday that Moscow appears poised to intensify its campaign against Ukraine's borders with European countries.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
  • European leaders convene in Finland’s Arctic capital as melting ice opens new shipping lanes and resource frontiers, intensifying Russian military activity and exposing doubts about NATO’s long-term role in regional security.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of intensify
Verb
  • But the question for Jeffries, of just how much of an example to make out of the betrayal, was immediately complicated by several factors.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
  • No longer being waiver exempt also potentially complicates his situation.
    — Scott Powers, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of complicate

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exacerbate
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Cite this Entry

“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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