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 crisis is exacerbated by conflict and attacks on healthcare, making contact tracing and isolation vital alongside vaccination efforts. — Victoria Forster, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Crucial issues in women’s health risked being ignored or exacerbated. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Iran’s economy was already under tremendous strain before the war, and the blockade has exacerbated that strain. — Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026 His aversion towards music became exacerbated around the releases for his debut album Old Romance in 2020 and The More The Better in 2023. — Ngozi Nwanji, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exacerbate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate

Verb

Ford said in an interview published Monday that Canada should be prepared to cut off electricity exports to the United States if the trade war worsens, putting a potentially powerful weapon on the table.

— Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
According to a recent survey published by Deloitte, consumer sentiment remains shaky, with 57% of Americans expecting the economy to worsen in the next six months — the highest figure the company has reported since 2020.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of worsen

Verb

Since seizing power, Tiani’s government has shifted away from Western partners, deepened ties with Russia and broken with the regional ECOWAS bloc, joining Mali and Burkina Faso to form the breakaway AES bloc.

— Reuters, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
My 50s has just continued to be about trying to figure out my place in the world and deepening my friendships with my friends, my family.

— Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of deepen

Verb

Bond yields Persistent inflation, tariffs and whipsawing gas prices are not the only obstacles complicating the task for the Fed.

— Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
Beijing — Already harrowing rescue efforts along the China-Nepal border are being complicated by the risk of new flooding or landslides, with authorities in China and Nepal pausing rescue efforts Friday due to those fears.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of exacerbate

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