as in aggravated
to make more severe
a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem
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Recent Examples of exacerbated
The incident comes as the city continues to reel in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, which sparked nationwide protests and exacerbated tensions in a community already on edge over a surge in federal agents.
—
Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 15 Jan. 2026
Instead, this individual was met with tactics that escalated fear and exacerbated an already fragile situation.
—Jack Springgate, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
Locals and wildlife experts say the Eaton fire exacerbated the situation, driving many bears out of their natural habitat in search of food, water and shelter.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
In this case, the demands on Chicago’s United Center — home of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and March’s Big Ten men’s basketball tournament, among other things — only exacerbated the issue.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Conditions were further exacerbated by recent military defeats, crippling sanctions, corruption, and an unprecedented water crisis.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 Jan. 2026
For homeowners, the battle to collect insurance money after the Eaton and Palisades fires has exacerbated a grueling recovery that's far from over.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 13 Jan. 2026
Punching Bags Institutional landlords have been favored punching bags over the last decade, with critics painting the firms as profiteers that gained from the US foreclosure crisis and exacerbated affordability challenges that have reached historic proportions.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
The risks inherent in the LBO structure are exacerbated by the amount of debt PSKY must incur, its current financial position and future prospects, as well as the lengthy period to close the transaction – which PSKY itself estimates to be 12-18 months following signing.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 15 Jan. 2026
Instead, this individual was met with tactics that escalated fear and exacerbated an already fragile situation.
—Jack Springgate, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
Locals and wildlife experts say the Eaton fire exacerbated the situation, driving many bears out of their natural habitat in search of food, water and shelter.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
In this case, the demands on Chicago’s United Center — home of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and March’s Big Ten men’s basketball tournament, among other things — only exacerbated the issue.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Conditions were further exacerbated by recent military defeats, crippling sanctions, corruption, and an unprecedented water crisis.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 Jan. 2026
For homeowners, the battle to collect insurance money after the Eaton and Palisades fires has exacerbated a grueling recovery that's far from over.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 13 Jan. 2026
Punching Bags Institutional landlords have been favored punching bags over the last decade, with critics painting the firms as profiteers that gained from the US foreclosure crisis and exacerbated affordability challenges that have reached historic proportions.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
The risks inherent in the LBO structure are exacerbated by the amount of debt PSKY must incur, its current financial position and future prospects, as well as the lengthy period to close the transaction – which PSKY itself estimates to be 12-18 months following signing.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbated
Verb
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Kesselring, who aggravated a high-ankle sprain against the Stars on New Year’s Eve, is getting closer to a return.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
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At the time of the accident, Lewis’ license was suspended for a felony aggravated DUI in 2006, according to court documents.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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November payrolls were revised down by 8,000 jobs, while October’s loss deepened to 173,000 from 105,000.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
12 Jan. 2026
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The contrast between these settings reshaped his worldview and deepened his interest in how international education influences personal development and an individual’s access to opportunity.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But the tie-up with Nieman Marcus only worsened Saks’ debt situation as luxury sales weakened.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
14 Jan. 2026
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Firefighters said the fire was then upgraded to a third alarm as fire conditions worsened and spread internally on the second and third floors.—
Timia Cobb
Breaking News Reporter,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Pockets of protests erupting across Iran over the past week have intensified pressure on a dysfunctional government struggling to manage a spiraling economic crisis.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
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The Justice Department has intensified efforts to investigate fraud in the state after a social media video shared by YouTuber Nick Shirley went viral right before New Year's Day.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Contrary to popular opinion, getting dressed does not need to be complicated — just take it from Pamela Anderson.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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Pedroia’s Hall of Fame candidacy has always been complicated.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exacerbated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbated. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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