as in worsening
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 exacerbating
Supply chain disruptions from closed airspace and waterways are also delaying aircraft maintenance, repair and operations (MRO), and exacerbating existing aircraft delivery delays from manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing.
—
Angelica Ang, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
The platforms risk exacerbating problem gambling, particularly among young men who are targeted by promotional campaigns.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Further, according to the paper, when supply tightens, richer nations outbid poorer ones for scarce shipments, exacerbating challenges for vulnerable economies.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026
Attendees said health benefits cut deeply into teachers’ paychecks, exacerbating turnover.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Rising concerns about technology and test scores Most states have rules that restrict cellphones in schools, based on concerns that phones and social media are disrupting education and exacerbating children’s mental health issues.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 10 Mar. 2026
Some Asian plants had also planned maintenance before the war broke out, exacerbating the situation.
—Nicholas Lua, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
Iran, Israel and the United States also have attacked oil and gas facilities since the war started, exacerbating supply concerns.
—Alex Veiga, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
That could force Americans to pay a price for regime change in Iran, further exacerbating affordability concerns.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
Angelica Ang, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
The platforms risk exacerbating problem gambling, particularly among young men who are targeted by promotional campaigns.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Further, according to the paper, when supply tightens, richer nations outbid poorer ones for scarce shipments, exacerbating challenges for vulnerable economies.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026
Attendees said health benefits cut deeply into teachers’ paychecks, exacerbating turnover.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Rising concerns about technology and test scores Most states have rules that restrict cellphones in schools, based on concerns that phones and social media are disrupting education and exacerbating children’s mental health issues.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 10 Mar. 2026
Some Asian plants had also planned maintenance before the war broke out, exacerbating the situation.
—Nicholas Lua, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
Iran, Israel and the United States also have attacked oil and gas facilities since the war started, exacerbating supply concerns.
—Alex Veiga, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
That could force Americans to pay a price for regime change in Iran, further exacerbating affordability concerns.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbating
Verb
-
The country is facing a worsening economic crisis.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Worries are worsening that the war could block the production of oil in the Persian Gulf for a long time and cause a debilitating surge of inflation for the global economy.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The song revolves slowly, casting loop against deepening loop, asking for the same careful quality of attention as William Basinski or Stars of the Lid.—
Sasha Geffen,
Pitchfork,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Yet many of the old-timers and young tech workers who live here seem to have accepted the coming changes as an unavoidable reality of California’s deepening housing crisis.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Relying on contractors, the union says, could create inconsistencies between airports if different companies operate checkpoints across the country, potentially complicating oversight of a system designed to maintain uniform national security standards.—
Rio Yamat,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But the war in Iran is complicating that calculus, as inflation worries persist and leave policymakers to balance competing risks.—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exacerbating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbating. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
