as in aggravated
to make more severe
a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 exacerbated
Millions of Venezuelans have fled a humanitarian and economic crisis exacerbated by political repression.
—
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The issue of writers doing unpaid work, a problem that has been exacerbated by companies’ extra-cautious approach to greenlighting projects in recent years, is also projected to make an appearance.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Since the shutdown, it’s only exacerbated that.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2025
On Wednesday, his Administration announced that, owing to air-traffic-controller shortages exacerbated by the shutdown, ten per cent of all flights at forty major airports around the country would be cancelled, causing travel mayhem in a high-stakes bid to force Democrats to end the impasse.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025
The shutdown has only exacerbated the situation.
—NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
The news exacerbated a sell-off in AI names Tuesday as investor concerns about sky-high valuations deepened.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
The federal shutdown has exacerbated longstanding staffing shortages within air traffic control, causing many critical personnel to work extended shifts without pay.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
The problem was exacerbated when another agent recreated the (non-existent) list, providing false evidence and fueling further confusion.
—Tharin Pillay, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The issue of writers doing unpaid work, a problem that has been exacerbated by companies’ extra-cautious approach to greenlighting projects in recent years, is also projected to make an appearance.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Since the shutdown, it’s only exacerbated that.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2025
On Wednesday, his Administration announced that, owing to air-traffic-controller shortages exacerbated by the shutdown, ten per cent of all flights at forty major airports around the country would be cancelled, causing travel mayhem in a high-stakes bid to force Democrats to end the impasse.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025
The shutdown has only exacerbated the situation.
—NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
The news exacerbated a sell-off in AI names Tuesday as investor concerns about sky-high valuations deepened.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
The federal shutdown has exacerbated longstanding staffing shortages within air traffic control, causing many critical personnel to work extended shifts without pay.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
The problem was exacerbated when another agent recreated the (non-existent) list, providing false evidence and fueling further confusion.
—Tharin Pillay, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbated
Verb
-
Zverev has intermittently heeded the advice, but his last match before the start of the Tour Finals ended in a 6-0, 6-1 shellacking by Sinner, aggravated by swelling in his right ankle.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Purdy aggravated his toe on Levi’s Stadium’s grass in Week 4, so that could happen again anywhere.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The latest revolt suggests that months later, despite strong results in last week’s elections, the party’s rift over how to confront the President has only deepened.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The odd online friendship has since evolved into a recurring source of entertainment for followers—and this latest exchange only deepened that fascination.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Their fate worsened when star striker Barbra Banda, who was crowned NWSL Championship MVP last year, was injured during a mid-August match, ending her season.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Its impact was worsened by clogged waterways in an already flood-prone area, and an apparent lack of understanding of early warnings, Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator for the Philippines Office of Civil Defense, told local media.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
By 2022, nationalist rhetoric from Yameen and his Progressive Party coalition intensified into a demand for the expulsion of the Indian troops stationed in the country.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
-
Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Nonetheless, the book has complicated historians' efforts to understand the truth of what really happened during this pivotal moment in the history of science.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
-
This has given the conflict a religious coloration, and political elites have also chosen to politicize the conflict to negotiate power and other interests, which has complicated the problem.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exacerbated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbated. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share