as in to worsen
to make more severe
a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem
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Recent Examples of exacerbate
The industry also shows how high borrowing costs exacerbate pressures throughout a supply chain, with consumers eventually picking up the tab.
—
Enda Curran, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Zoschak said these online communities can exacerbate typical teenage emotions like loneliness and desperation.
—Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026
Studies have also shown that extreme heat can exacerbate conditions such as depression, anxiety and suicide ideation.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
That defeat prompted another mini-crisis, with Marseille losing five league games out of seven, and exacerbated tensions in the squad.
—Tom Burrows, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Enda Curran, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Zoschak said these online communities can exacerbate typical teenage emotions like loneliness and desperation.
—Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026
Studies have also shown that extreme heat can exacerbate conditions such as depression, anxiety and suicide ideation.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
That defeat prompted another mini-crisis, with Marseille losing five league games out of seven, and exacerbated tensions in the squad.
—Tom Burrows, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate
Verb
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Inflammation can cause or worsen chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
17 Feb. 2026
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If something feels new, different or worsens with movement, don’t ignore it.—
Jennifer Shanker,
Flow Space,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cuba’s energy crisis has deepened and daily blackouts sometimes last more than 24 hours at a time on some parts of the island.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
14 Feb. 2026
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These experiences deepen understanding, challenge assumptions, and help students connect Connecticut’s past and present in a more meaningful way.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Every year this doesn’t happen, Cohen grows more aggravated.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
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The severity of the weather was aggravated by heat in Chicago, where highs were reaching over 90 degrees.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Crisis intensifies Fuel shortages and blackouts have been intensifying in Cuba this month as the nation struggles to import oil for its power plants and refineries.—
Andrea Rodriguez,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At 5,300 years old, any of those explanations complicates the conventional picture of how sophisticated Predynastic Egyptian material science actually was.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
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Her recovery was complicated by the routine obstacles that govern all aspects of life at Dilley.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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