exacerbating

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

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 Pollutants released by fossil fuel equipment, such as nitrogen oxides and ozone, disproportionately impact low-income, Black and brown communities in the Baltimore area, exacerbating respiratory illnesses such as asthma and leading to costly trips to the doctor’s office and emergency room. Brian Jenkins, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2025 Some say the consolidation of the industry is exacerbating the problem. Brian Evans, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2025 Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey won a $24 billion judgment against China for the country’s part in exacerbating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025 These cuts are exacerbating the already dire conditions faced by millions in need of aid. Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 That’s exacerbating the price spiral, as customers bid up remaining supplies out of proportion with the shortage. Alexandra Byrne, NBC News, 5 Mar. 2025 Tariffs could add some upward price pressure, exacerbating inflation in some categories of goods. Jason Schenker, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 Indeed, South Florida’s proximity to cruise ports may be exacerbating the spread. Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025 However, with high prices and their resulting complaints from enthusiasts having plagued its graphics cards for a number of generations and recent supply issues with its RTX 50-series exacerbating the problem, the door is open for the competition to strike a blow. Antony Leather, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbating
Verb
  • Highly flammable tamarisk shrubs have taken root in thick stands near streams in the western US, and eucalyptus — one of the primary invasive trees blamed for worsening Chile’s recent wildfires as well as fires in Portugal — increases wildfire risk in California.
    Kylie Mohr, Vox, 8 Jan. 2025
  • The conflict is delaying training for thousands of medical students, likely leading to a worsening health care crisis for Sudan for years to come.
    Maria Isabel Barros Guinle, NPR, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But a decade later, the 38-story structure has become emblematic of Hartford’s deepening office market troubles.
    Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Ukraine and its European backers have watched on with deepening concern over the thawing of relations between Washington and Moscow.
    Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 23 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exacerbating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbating. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on exacerbating

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!