exacerbate

exacerbate

CEFR: C1-C2 /ex-ac-er-bate/ [ih0.g.z.ae1.s.er0.b.ey2.t]

Exacerbate is a form way to say “Make things worse.” In an example, “He exacerbated the situation by complaining.” That means that they were already in a not great situation, and the situation worsened because the boy was complaining.

Example sentences using exacerbate:

Example Sentences:
The proposed factory shutdown would only exacerbate our unemployment problems.
His angry comments have exacerbated tensions in the negotiation process
Longstanding poverty has been exacerbated by racial divisions.