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 For Madison, these AI hallucinations exacerbate some people’s preexisting anxieties about wine. — Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 2 Oct. 2026 Deterioration is exacerbated if water reaches the steel rebar, corroding from inside the concrete mass and thereby weakening the integrity of the wall. — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026 Losing state funding could potentially exacerbate the district’s financial crisis which is already at risk of pushing the 38,000-student district into insolvency. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026 Greg Andreotti, who spent two summers in both units, said the facility’s design can exacerbate the heat. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exacerbate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate

Verb

Some experts point to worsening public health since the 2008 financial crisis, citing factors such as growing obesity, long hospital waiting times, the cost-of-living crisis and other social causes.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
His latest promise — which, like the others, would require approval from Congress — would probably cost more than $1 trillion, adding to the ballooning deficit and worsening inflation.

— Melissa Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of worsen

Verb

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vietnamese President To Lam met in Canberra last month, pledging to deepen their partnership on issues like defense and trade.

— Shibani Mahtani, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
What’s more, its growth runway could widen materially as the Huntsville, Alabama, company deepens its relationships with disruptive defense innovator Anduril Industries and space-launch leader SpaceX .

— Harvey Stober, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of deepen

Verb

Unfortunately, Delane aggravated a shoulder injury on that play and was unable to return to action in that game, the season opener at Arrowhead.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
The Yankees are also cautious about Judge on a turf field, which could further aggravate the injury.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of aggravate

Verb

Moscow and Kyiv have intensified their aerial assaults as progress along the 750-mile front line has largely ground to a halt.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Another major challenge is intensifying domestic competition and labor shortages as Japan’s birth rate declines and its population ages, Nagai said.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensify

Verb

Iran war complicates interest rate debate Earlier this year, the FOMC wrestled with lowering rates versus holding them steady despite higher prices.

— Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
The United Arab Emirates has canceled all flights to Israel, complicating travel for hundreds of passengers who fly between the countries on a typical day.

— Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of complicate

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exacerbate

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“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of exacerbate

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