as in deepens
to make more severe
a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem
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Recent Examples of exacerbates
The Gallup poll found that around half of Americans report feeling stressed in their daily lives, a factor the American Psychological Association says can further degrade sleep quality, which in turn exacerbates stress.
—
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 4 May 2026
The scarcity of facilities exacerbates the problem of families having to travel sometimes long distances to visit their disabled children, the court found, further isolating the kids.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
The state’s notorious summer heat exacerbates overdose deaths, according to recent research.
—Kaitlin Coward, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Sure, hormones may be bouncing around during midlife as women near menopause, but adding additional hormones to the mix adds risk and actually exacerbates some symptoms.
—Patricia Bencivenga, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026
If the swelling in your lungs exacerbates, however, a dangerous condition called high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) can occur.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside, 26 Mar. 2026
On Saturday, Duffy told Fox News that spring break travel only exacerbates the delays as families with children wait in the long lines.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 21 Mar. 2026
Swinging and missing exacerbates the pain in Rodriguez’s hand, Schlossnagle said.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 14 Mar. 2026
That spiral exacerbates the affordability crisis.
—Christopher Greenwood, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 4 May 2026
The scarcity of facilities exacerbates the problem of families having to travel sometimes long distances to visit their disabled children, the court found, further isolating the kids.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
The state’s notorious summer heat exacerbates overdose deaths, according to recent research.
—Kaitlin Coward, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Sure, hormones may be bouncing around during midlife as women near menopause, but adding additional hormones to the mix adds risk and actually exacerbates some symptoms.
—Patricia Bencivenga, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026
If the swelling in your lungs exacerbates, however, a dangerous condition called high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) can occur.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside, 26 Mar. 2026
On Saturday, Duffy told Fox News that spring break travel only exacerbates the delays as families with children wait in the long lines.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 21 Mar. 2026
Swinging and missing exacerbates the pain in Rodriguez’s hand, Schlossnagle said.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 14 Mar. 2026
That spiral exacerbates the affordability crisis.
—Christopher Greenwood, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbates
Verb
-
Compared to other regions in the country, Dubrovnik could be harder hit if the fuel crisis deepens because of its location at the southern tip of Croatia’s Adriatic Sea coastline.—
Darko Bandic,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
-
Compared to other regions in the country, Dubrovnik could be harder hit if the fuel crisis deepens because of its location at the southern tip of Croatia's Adriatic Sea coastline.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Mercury aggravates Jupiter, intensifying your vulnerability in creative or romantic situations.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Flood conditions in Northern Lower Michigan have become increasingly dire in recent days, as heavy rainfall aggravates the winter snowmelt in the region.—
Terrance Friday,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
First, Detroit has centers ahead of him in Larkin, Copp and potentially Kasper next season, with Nate Danielson on the way as well, which either complicates Compher’s path to high-lineup playing time or blocks one of the young players.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
But the ongoing fracturing of American politics, and especially the capricious and authoritarian-leaning tendencies of the current administration, complicates everything.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the illness worsens, more severe symptoms can develop, like coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath as fluid builds up in the lungs.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
-
Pain in the hand, wrist and thumb that worsens or prevents you from gripping, pinching or holding items.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The flowers’ blue color intensifies with the summer sun.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
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Newsom and other supporters have said the tunnel would protect the state’s water system as climate change intensifies severe droughts and deluges.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exacerbates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbates. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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