- Pronunciation: /ɪɡˈzæs.ər.beɪt/
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Definition: To make a problem, situation, or negative feeling worse or more severe.
- Example Sentences:
- The heavy rain exacerbated the flooding in the area.
- His aggressive comments only served to exacerbate the tension between the two groups.
- Etymology: From Latin exacerbatus, the past participle of exacerbare, meaning “to make harsh, irritate.” The Latin word is composed of ex- (out, completely) and acerbus (harsh, bitter).
- Synonyms: aggravate, worsen, intensify
- Antonyms: alleviate, improve, mitigate
- Usage Notes:
- “Exacerbate” is often used in formal contexts and is associated with making situations worse or more intense. It is different from “exasperate,” which means to irritate or frustrate someone.
