Synonyms of exacerbating

exacerbating

verb

present participle of exacerbate

as in worsening

to make more severe

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• worsening
• deepening
• complicating
• intensifying
• aggravating
• amplifying
• magnifying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• alleviating
• relieving
• mitigating
• helping
• easing
• improving
• allaying
• ameliorating
• assuaging
• bettering

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of exacerbating

Those costs can eventually reach customers through higher prices, further exacerbating our affordability crisis. — Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Meanwhile, oil prices jumped Friday and Brent crude touched $110 per barrel for the first time since May, exacerbating concerns about inflationary pressures that could push the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates further. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

These fabrics can take hundreds of years to degrade, releasing microplastics into the air and soil, exacerbating the global issue of microplastic pollution. — Catherine Salfino, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Middle East disruption and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries are exacerbating a global squeeze on refined products, prices of which are set to remain elevated into next year. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Just as the industry began recovering from a multiyear freight slowdown, the administration began cracking down on immigrant drivers earlier this year, exacerbating the impact from the erratic tariff announcements. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Some of us would like to spend less time cursing sun damage, some of us have been honing a gentle routine for managing acne for years, and some of us want to smooth without exacerbating rosacea or eczema. — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026

Analysts said that the revelation by Washington confirmed an open secret but the timing of the announcement risked exacerbating tensions with Beijing and the risk of a weapons race in space. — CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

Gallup polling shows public confidence in schools generally has declined since the COVID-19 pandemic closed classrooms, exacerbating academic declines, mental health issues and other problems. — Jocelyn Gecker, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026