as in aggravated
to make more severe
a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem
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Recent Examples of exacerbated
The San Antonio market is still working through its excess inventory, and the recent slow winter months only exacerbated the number of vacancies.
—
Lily O'Neill, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Apr. 2026
The risks of growing the data center footprint has been exacerbated by the ongoing war in Iran.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
The present calamity is only exacerbated by the problems that already existed in their frayed union of over 20 years — including narcissistic tendencies for him and accountability issues for her.
—Sarah Rodman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
The Sunshine State has experienced a stark correction in demand following the pandemic-era housing boom, exacerbated by the growth in inventory in the market fueled by new construction.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Creativity has also been an issue for Spurs all season, something that has been exacerbated by the long-term injuries to Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.
—Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
OpenClaw’s arrival coincides with an economic slowdown in China that has exacerbated youth unemployment and sluggish domestic consumption –– with Beijing projecting its lowest growth rate in decades in 2026.
—CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Her subsequent breakdown, exacerbated by an eating disorder and physical exhaustion, marked the end of her years as America’s sweetheart—and one of its most profitable stars.
—Jackson Howard, Pitchfork, 29 Mar. 2026
Iran's stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway, has exacerbated the economic fallout.
—Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026
Lily O'Neill, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Apr. 2026
The risks of growing the data center footprint has been exacerbated by the ongoing war in Iran.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
The present calamity is only exacerbated by the problems that already existed in their frayed union of over 20 years — including narcissistic tendencies for him and accountability issues for her.
—Sarah Rodman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
The Sunshine State has experienced a stark correction in demand following the pandemic-era housing boom, exacerbated by the growth in inventory in the market fueled by new construction.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Creativity has also been an issue for Spurs all season, something that has been exacerbated by the long-term injuries to Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.
—Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
OpenClaw’s arrival coincides with an economic slowdown in China that has exacerbated youth unemployment and sluggish domestic consumption –– with Beijing projecting its lowest growth rate in decades in 2026.
—CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Her subsequent breakdown, exacerbated by an eating disorder and physical exhaustion, marked the end of her years as America’s sweetheart—and one of its most profitable stars.
—Jackson Howard, Pitchfork, 29 Mar. 2026
Iran's stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway, has exacerbated the economic fallout.
—Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbated
Verb
-
The injury was first reported by the British tabloid, The Sun, which claimed that Turner had aggravated a pre-existing back injury.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Huerta pled guilty in February in Leavenworth County District Court to one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of aggravated endangering a child, according to previous Star reporting.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cooperation between the countries has deepened in recent years, with the North sending troops and conventional weapons to support Russia's war against Ukraine.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Her voice—newly deepened and textured—became the most important instrument in the room, the centerpiece of every song.—
Jackson Howard,
Pitchfork,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For Lamar, who now has a tattoo on his chest to honor his younger son, the loss also worsened his struggle with addiction.—
Currie Engel,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The rapid loss of snow is also affecting the Colorado River, another major water source for Southern California, which has shrunk over the last quarter-century during a megadrought worsened by rising temperatures.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Among those whose commitment to Israel had intensified after October 7th, numerous sources told me, was Olitzky, Beth El’s senior rabbi.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Israel has intensified its attacks across Lebanon, mostly in the South, where Israeli ground troops are moving northward to try to oust Hezbollah militants.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Israel’s assassination campaign sometimes complicated Chalker’s attempts to recruit defectors.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
That’s because the EV ownership affordability equation is complicated — starting with the price of the car itself.—
Personal Finance Columnist,
San Francisco Chronicle,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exacerbated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbated. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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