as in to worsen
to make more severe
a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exacerbate
Trump policies may exacerbate climate change, but global warming was hardly on a positive trajectory before his election in November.
—
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025
This further exacerbates Joe's measly sheriff's office, consisting of two deputies who now double as his bumbling campaign staff.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 18 July 2025
But the temporary shutdown exacerbated an existing backlog of applications.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
If your scalp is already sensitive, synthetic hair can exacerbate your sensitivity.
—Essence, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025
This further exacerbates Joe's measly sheriff's office, consisting of two deputies who now double as his bumbling campaign staff.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 18 July 2025
But the temporary shutdown exacerbated an existing backlog of applications.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
If your scalp is already sensitive, synthetic hair can exacerbate your sensitivity.
—Essence, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate
Verb
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This misinformation can also lead to insurance denials, distorted retirement planning, and worsened stigma.—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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Most of the Corn Belt and Midwest remain drought-free, except for northern Illinois where conditions worsened, the agency said.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Beyond product, the brand is committed to deepening its physical presence in key markets.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
24 July 2025
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The documentary has already deepened the connection between SB19 and their fans.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
23 July 2025
Verb
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The fall aggravated damage to his neck and back from an ATV accident 16 years before.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
22 July 2025
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Working as a senior can strain you physically, raising the risk of injury and aggravating chronic conditions such as arthritis.—
Bob Brody,
Fortune,
21 July 2025
Verb
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But in these recent times, Ford's leaders have intensified their examination of its Chinese rivals viewing them as the top competition to learn from — and beat.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
Freep.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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But as the region shifted back to a dry pattern, fire behavior intensified.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This complicates things because Brianna can’t shake the feeling that maybe Roman was sent to spy on them.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Essence,
31 July 2025
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Analysts see signs of a shift toward easing—possibly beginning in September—but warn that President Trump’s fiscal policies may complicate Fed chair Jerome Powell’s efforts to control inflation, regardless of rate decisions.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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