as in to worsen
to make more severe a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem

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Examples of exacerbate in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web This conflict is further exacerbated by climate change, which is shifting elephant habitats and bringing human communities and elephant herds into close contact. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024 Her longing was only exacerbated when sandwich chain Jimmy John's announced the launch of its new Picklewich. Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024 The department has often isolated detainees with severe mental illness, which can exacerbate suicidal intentions. Christopher Damien, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 The degree of devastation in Gaza has exacerbated fears that Lebanon’s rich world heritage could meet the same fate. Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exacerbate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate
Verb
  • By Karina Tsui | CNN Powerful winds that fueled fast-moving wildfires across Southern California this week are expected to pick up momentum on Thursday –– worsening conditions for firefighters who are already battling limited visibility to save lives.
    CNN.com, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • The nurse tells her to stop wasting her time and go to an actual physician before her symptoms worsen or other ailments occur from overcompensating.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Impulse ensured every elegant moment became a lasting memory, deepening guest engagement with the Veuve Clicquot brand in real time.
    Meredith Ogilvie-Thompson, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Several Southeast Asian countries are deepening their security ties with the U.S., yet China remains the region’s largest trading partner.
    Nicholas Gordon, Fortune Asia, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • In October, the teen admitted to arson, aggravated criminal damage and four accusations of endangerment with risk of imminent death.
    Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
  • And the president-elect you're aggravated with will have to share the limited power of the federal government with 535 lawmakers in Congress and several hundred federal judges and justices.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Much remains unknown about the current system, its track and chances for intensifying later in the week.
    Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
  • When the sun is in Scorpio, the energy of transformation is intensified.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • This has been complicated by high costs of livings dampening enthusiasm and quite likely some latent sexism in parts of that coalition.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
  • Weighting polls based on what groups of people are more likely to vote can also be complicated, Lichtman asserted.
    Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

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