Exacerbate

Quick meaning: Exacerbate is a verb meaning (transitive) To make worse (a problem, bad situation, negative feeling, etc.).

Meaning

(transitive) To make worse (a problem, bad situation, negative feeling, etc.).

Example Sentences

Near-synonym: worsen

The proposed shutdown would exacerbate unemployment problems.

Liz: It's just with Ed here, it's no wonder I always bring my flat-mates out and then that only exacerbates things. Shaun: What do you mean? Liz: Well you guys hardly get on, do you? Shaun: No, what does "exacerbate" mean?

Sino-Soviet relations were exacerbated by a border incident on May 9. Beijing charged that thirty Soviet troops, supported by a helicopter and navy boats, crossed the Ussuri River into the Hulin area of Heilongjiang province.

Word Forms

• exacerbates
• exacerbating
• exacerbated

Synonyms for exacerbate

Depending on context, synonyms include aggravate, worsen, exasperate.

Antonyms for exacerbate

Common opposites include ameliorate, improve, meliorate, better, amend.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include aggravate, exasperate, worsen, deteriorate, toughen, foment.

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