as in to worsen
to make more severe
a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem
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Recent Examples of exacerbate
That underdog status has been exacerbated by the serious themes many modern horror films explore.
—
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
The board also voted to install Matt Floca as CEO and executive director, replacing Trump ally Richard Grenell, who oversaw far-reaching changes at the venue that prompted an outcry from many artists and exacerbated the operation’s financial challenges.
—Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Human trafficking has a history of being exacerbated by major sporting events like the Super Bowl and World Cup.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
While the housing project and others like it address affordability and supply needs, officials and community members have expressed concerns that new developments exacerbate parking problems in the area.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
The board also voted to install Matt Floca as CEO and executive director, replacing Trump ally Richard Grenell, who oversaw far-reaching changes at the venue that prompted an outcry from many artists and exacerbated the operation’s financial challenges.
—Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Human trafficking has a history of being exacerbated by major sporting events like the Super Bowl and World Cup.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
While the housing project and others like it address affordability and supply needs, officials and community members have expressed concerns that new developments exacerbate parking problems in the area.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate
Verb
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If conditions worsen, the state will move into phase three.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
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Carolina Rodriguez, director of the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program in New York, said the backlog for relief programs could worsen as borrowers in the now-defunct Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan submit applications to access a new repayment plan.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As mentioned previously, KU’s woes only deepened in the second half.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
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Neighbors brace for impact If the crisis deepens, aid groups say the most likely destinations for refugees are Iran’s borders with Iraq and Turkey, which stretch roughly 2,200 kilometers (1,367 miles) through rough alpine terrain that is home to many Kurdish communities and are difficult to police.—
Sam McNeil,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The lack of fuel has aggravated an economic crisis on the island, that was already years in the making.—
Orlando Matos,
NBC news,
13 Mar. 2026
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There might be more than one bench spot to be won on the opening-day roster, as infielder Sung-Mun Song has not swung a bat since aggravating a right oblique strain on Sunday.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If so, that would intensify the competition between him and last year's portal addition Jordan Shaw, as the duo aims to replace Tyreek Chappell after his eligibility expires.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
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The sun, wind, noise, boat vibration and motion can intensify the effects of alcohol and drugs which can quickly impair coordination, judgment and reaction time.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The snow drought is complicating that work.—
Mira Rojanasakul,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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Second, instability along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border complicates regional connectivity and economic integration initiatives, including projects linked to broader Central and South Asia.—
Rabia Akhtar,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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