Exacerbate
Pouring gasoline on a joke fight is the meme; this verb is the serious label for anything that makes a bad situation louder.
Learn This WordMeaning
To make a problem, situation, or negative feeling worse.
Memory trick
Think "EX-ACE-ERBATE" = making something extra “acerb(ic)” (bitter/harsh), turning bad into worse.
Examples
Poor communication can exacerbate conflicts within a team.
Skipping sleep may exacerbate anxiety the next day.
The heat wave exacerbated the drought conditions.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin exacerbatus, past participle of exacerbare "to irritate, provoke," from ex- "thoroughly" + acerbus "harsh, bitter."
Usage Notes
A strong, precise verb for “make worse,” used frequently in medical, policy, and analytical writing.
Real-life contexts
Use for cause-effect: "That policy could exacerbate inequality."
Use in health discussions: "Stress can exacerbate symptoms."
Use in retros: "Let’s not exacerbate the issue by rushing."
Common Mistakes
Don’t confuse with “exasperate” (to annoy/frustrate). Exacerbate = make worse; exasperate = irritate.
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Start LearningQuick Facts
Part of Speech
verb
Difficulty
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