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View synonyms for

exacerbate

[ ig-zas-er-beyt, ek-sas- ]

verb (used with object)

exacerbated, exacerbating.
  1. to increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of (disease, ill feeling, etc.); aggravate.

    Synonyms: , ,

    Antonyms: , ,

  2. to embitter the feelings of (a person); irritate; exasperate.


exacerbate

/ ɪɡˈzæsəˌbeɪt; ɪkˈsæs- /

verb

  1. to make (pain, disease, emotion, etc) more intense; aggravate
  2. to exasperate or irritate (a person)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌˈپDz, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ····Բ· adverb
  • ····پDz [ig-zas-er-, bey, -sh, uh, n, ek-sas-], noun
  • ܲ·····Բ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of exacerbate1

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin 油ٳܲ (past participle of “to exasperate, provoke”), equivalent to ex- ex- 1 + ٳܲ acerbate
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Word History and Origins

Origin of exacerbate1

C17: from Latin to irritate, from acerbus bitter
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Compare Meanings

How does exacerbate compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The WFP said the current Israeli blockade – the longest closure that Gaza has ever faced – had exacerbated already fragile markets and food systems.

From

“That is a legitimate concern and one that would be exacerbated if he were granted bail.”

From

Meeting after meeting, they repeat the theme: Quintana’s problems may have been exacerbated by the impenetrability of her parents’ bond, or by her mother’s tendency to distance.

From

He told me that the problems in his area had been exacerbated by people from elsewhere bringing their rubbish into poorer inner-city areas to get rid of it.

From

Most of those departures were a steady stream of retirements, exacerbated by a spike in resignations that year.

From

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