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Acerbated: meaning, definitions and examples

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acerbated

 

[ əˈsɜːr.beɪtɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

intensified situation

Acerbated is the past tense of the verb acerbate, which means to make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse. It is often used in contexts where someone's actions have compounded existing difficulties or discomforts. For example, if a manager's poor communication style acerbates team tensions, it suggests that the manager's behavior is aggravating an already problematic situation. The term carries a connotation of exacerbation, emphasizing increasing severity or bitterness.

Synonyms

aggravated, exacerbated, intensified

Examples of usage

  • His comments only acerbated the already tense atmosphere.
  • The environmental policies acerbated the pollution issue.
  • Ignoring the complaints acerbated the workers' frustrations.

Translations

Translations of the word "acerbated" in other languages:

🇵🇹 agravado

🇮🇳 बिगड़ गया

🇩🇪 verschärft

🇮🇩 memperburuk

🇺🇦 погіршений

🇵🇱 zaostrzony

🇯🇵 悪化した

🇫🇷 aggravé

🇪🇸 agravado

🇹🇷 kötüleşmiş

🇰🇷 악화된

🇸🇦 تفاقم

🇨🇿 zhoršený

🇸🇰 zhoršený

🇨🇳 恶化的

🇸🇮 poslabšan

🇮🇸 versnað

🇰🇿 нашарлаған

🇬🇪 გაუარესებული

🇦🇿 pisləşmiş

🇲🇽 agravado

Word origin

The term 'acerbate' derives from the Latin word 'acerbatus', which means 'to make sour or bitter'. The root 'acerbus', meaning 'bitter, harsh, or sharp', contributes to the word's modern connotation of intensifying negative experiences. While its usage has fluctuated over the centuries, it gained more prominence in English during the 19th century as language evolved to incorporate more terms from Latin and French. 'Acerbate' has often been used in literary contexts to describe scenarios where discontent or disagreement escalates due to certain provocations. Its derivative 'acerbation', referring to the act of making something worse, was used in various academic discussions, particularly in psychology and social sciences. The evolution of 'acerbated' reflects broader themes of discomfort and the complexities of interpersonal relationships, particularly how certain actions can lead to a deterioration of circumstances.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,807, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.