EXACERBATE Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

exacerbate

verb

ig-ˈza-sər-ˌbāt

Definition of exacerbate

as in to worsen

to make more severe a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem

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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 exacerbate The psychological effects of past Ebola outbreaks can persist long after the immediate crisis, according to WHO, often taking the form of anxiety and mood disorders, exacerbated by prolonged grief and discrimination. — Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 And competing internal metrics within different teams—such as subscription revenue versus store revenue—exacerbated the problem, said former employees. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 Those costs can eventually reach customers through higher prices, further exacerbating our affordability crisis. — Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 The British Antarctic Survey researchers emphasize that future losses could be exacerbated if emissions are not reduced. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exacerbate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate

Verb

Rights groups and activists say repression has worsened in the period since.

— Reuters, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
In Spanish cities, a housing supply shortage has worsened thanks to population growth driven by immigration and a proliferation of short-term rentals.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of worsen

Verb

But North Korea’s deepening military ties with Russia since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine have led analysts to question whether Pyongyang is becoming less reliant on Beijing.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Residents of the southern Ukrainian ⁠town, occupied by Russian forces since February 2022, have reported a deepening food crisis.

— Reuters, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of deepen

Verb

Rescue operations were complicated, with police firing tear gas at people who had begun looting neighboring shops, as officers sought to clear the area and provide access to emergency response teams.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Rain that turned into the season's first significant snow, accompanied by strong wind, complicated the already difficult task of tackling the blaze and firefighters had to pull out overnight after several hours, officials said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of complicate

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exacerbate

exacerbated

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“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of exacerbate

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