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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exacerbate These dangers could be exacerbated by workplace conditions and policies that don’t allow for behavioral changes that could help regulate body temperatures, such as taking short breaks or working less intensely. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 10 Sep. 2025 Anger had been brewing for years about the country’s worsening youth unemployment crisis and lack of economic opportunities, exacerbated by what many viewed as a growing disparity between the country’s elite and regular people. Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025 Six of the 10 countries most vulnerable to a warming climate are in Africa, which has in recent years been buffeted by devastating droughts and floods, both of which are exacerbated by climate change. Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025 And the exacerbating factor was Nestor picked the Gophers’ bitter rival. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate
Verb
  • Anger has been brewing in the Himalayan nation for years about the country’s worsening youth unemployment and lack of economic opportunities, exacerbated by what many view as a growing disparity between the country’s elite and regular people.
    Sugam Pokharel, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Pink Light takes the inspiring sports drama genre, where athletes have to overcome obstacles in their sport and personal lives, in a new direction as Browne tackles the worsening debate around trans athletes in the media and political spaces.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For Josie Ferreira, a New Yorker attending her third cookout, the event is a rare chance to gather across boroughs and deepen bonds.
    Essence, Essence, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Esmeralda seems clearly intended as an instant fan favorite, a go-to source of big, broad laughs who somehow deepens with every new quirk.
    Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But the attacker re-aggravated his hamstring at the club’s training hub in Rush Green.
    Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • What is required is a pullback - on huge deficits, on aggravating international and internal relationships, and on the undermining of historical foundations of the United States.
    John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The interview came as federal investigators intensified their search for Kirk's killer.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Apple didn’t explain its reasoning behind the decision, but the market for satellite-to-phone service is intensifying.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • During this time of year, tropical activity tends to develop in the Caribbean or Gulf, rather than near Africa, which also complicates response efforts, Francis said.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • However, the current crop of general-purpose humanoids tends to target moderate loads, similar to an average person, because higher payloads complicate balance and actuator sizing.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025

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“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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