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
The heat wave exacerbated coral bleaching, which decreases available reef habitat, and subsequent heat waves ultimately killed many of the fish the researchers studied.
—
Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 May 2025
Batista said the situation also exacerbates shortages of military and prison chaplains, hampering efforts to provide servicemembers and inmates ample opportunity to practice their religion, as federally required.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 21 May 2025
Others worry that a big number could exacerbate the deficit.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Foods and Drinks to Avoid Some foods and drinks promote inflammation and may exacerbate your allergy symptoms.
—Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 May 2025
Batista said the situation also exacerbates shortages of military and prison chaplains, hampering efforts to provide servicemembers and inmates ample opportunity to practice their religion, as federally required.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 21 May 2025
Others worry that a big number could exacerbate the deficit.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Foods and Drinks to Avoid Some foods and drinks promote inflammation and may exacerbate your allergy symptoms.
—Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate
Verb
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There are also mental health impacts with worsening anxiety, stress, and depression in the hotter summer months.—
Jamie Hailstone,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Relations have only worsened in recent years, as Beijing has leveraged its budding economic and military power to ramp up pressure on its neighbor.—
ELY RATNER,
Foreign Affairs,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Months passed and her discomfort deepened into a piercing pain, but by the time she was taken seriously, a scary diagnosis left one of her ovaries beyond saving.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
25 May 2025
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This could deepen existing social inequalities, creating new layers of privilege and marginalization.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Verb
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Shannon Smith, 48, was sentenced to 8.5 years behind bars after pleading guilty to one count of taking the identity of another and four counts of aggravated taking the identity of another, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said in a May 22 news release.—
Sara Schilling,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2025
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He is accused of killing a man named Brandon Fees during a car burglary in 2024 and was in jail awaiting trial on charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery and threatening a public official before the escape.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Supply chain vulnerabilities exposed during recent global disruptions have highlighted the fragility of our food systems and have intensified competition while simultaneously opening new markets.—
Persa Sakellaridi,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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In New York City, activists have intensified their efforts to protest the rising number of migrant deportations, staging multiple demonstrations in opposition of the administration’s controversial moves against immigrants.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
1 June 2025
Verb
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But Lijn’s mechanized drama is a resolutely feminist one, a face-off between two cyborgs who both conjure and complicate the archetypes of the nature goddess and the murderous woman.—
Marina Isgro,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
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One is the long-running foreclosure of 57-75 Pratt St. involving Shelbourne has complicated the leasing of prominent, vacant storefronts in those buildings.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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