Exacerbate
To make something worse; to aggravate or intensify a problem or situation.
verbExacerbate
To make something worse; to aggravate or intensify a problem or situation.
verbImagine This
Instead of trying to apply the brake to slow down the car, the driver pressed the gas pedal and caused the car to accelerate, resulting in unnecessary death in the accident.
Sounds Like
ek-SAS-er-bayt
Looks Like
ex-acerbate (contains 'acerb' meaning bitter) or resembles 'accelerate' in sound but not meaning
Remember This
When you exacerbate a problem, you make it worse. The word often appears in discussions of health, finance, or conflicts where a minor issue becomes more severe due to additional actions.
Other Forms
Connect With
worsen, aggravate, inflame, intensify, heighten
Note
Exacerbate is a transitive verb and requires a direct object (e.g., 'to exacerbate a problem'). Do not confuse with 'exaggerate' (to overstate) or with 'exhaust' (to tire).