Synonyms of exacerbate

exacerbate

verb

ig-ˈza-sər-ˌbāt 

as in to worsen

to make more severe

a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

• worsen
• deepen
• aggravate
• intensify
• complicate
• amplify
• magnify

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• alleviate
• mitigate
• help
• relieve
• ease
• improve
• better
• allay
• assuage
• ameliorate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of exacerbate

Residents throughout the continent are suffering in the extreme heat, further exacerbated by a lack of air conditioning in some European countries. — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2026

Already, rising temperatures and prolonged droughts are out of any individual’s control; now a big industrial facility arrives, under the cover of night, that may or may not exacerbate many problems caused by the climate crisis. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

Climate change caused by humans is exacerbating these conditions. — Ava Berger, NPR, 16 July 2026

Temperatures reaching the low 90s in much of the region would exacerbate the effects, according to the National Weather Service. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 16 July 2026

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