Exacerbate: meaning, definitions and examples

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exacerbate

[ ɪɡˈzæs.ər.beɪt ]

^{Context #1}

make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse

To exacerbate means to make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse. It is the act of increasing the severity or intensity of something already bad. This word is often used in the context of worsening a situation or making it more difficult to deal with. Exacerbate is commonly used in discussions about conflicts, crises, and challenges.

Synonyms

aggravate, exaggerate, intensify, provoke, worsen

Examples of usage

He exacerbated the situation by ignoring the warnings.
The lack of resources only served to exacerbate the problem further.
The new regulations are likely to exacerbate the existing issues.
Her comments only served to exacerbate tensions between the two groups.
His aggressive behavior tends to exacerbate conflicts rather than resolve them.

Translations

Translations of the word "exacerbate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 agravar

🇮🇳 बिगाड़ना

🇩🇪 verschlimmern

🇮🇩 memperburuk

🇺🇦 загострювати

🇵🇱 zaostrzyć

🇯🇵 悪化させる

🇫🇷 aggraver

🇪🇸 agravar

🇹🇷 şiddetlendirmek

🇰🇷 악화시키다

🇸🇦 يزيد سوءا

🇨🇿 zhoršit

🇸🇰 zhoršiť

🇨🇳 加剧

🇸🇮 poslabšati

🇮🇸 versna

🇰🇿 нашарлау

🇬🇪 გართულება

🇦🇿 pisləşdirmək

🇲🇽 agravar

Word origin

The word exacerbate has Latin origins, coming from the verb exacerbāre, which means 'to irritate' or 'to provoke'. It entered the English language in the early 17th century. Over time, exacerbate has evolved to specifically refer to the act of making a situation worse or more intense. The word highlights the idea of adding fuel to the fire, intensifying an already difficult situation.