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
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Recent Examples of exacerbate
Acknowledging the difficulty of the situation and treating oneself with kindness can prevent negative self-talk from exacerbating stress.
—
Sonia Singh, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2025
And tariffs would further exacerbate those rising costs, the organization wrote.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025
Economists largely believe new tariffs will exacerbate the effects of lingering inflation.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 2 Feb. 2025
Retaliatory tariffs are expected to further exacerbate price hikes in both the U.S. and elsewhere.
—Katrina Bishop, CNBC, 2 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for exacerbate 
Sonia Singh, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2025
And tariffs would further exacerbate those rising costs, the organization wrote.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025
Economists largely believe new tariffs will exacerbate the effects of lingering inflation.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 2 Feb. 2025
Retaliatory tariffs are expected to further exacerbate price hikes in both the U.S. and elsewhere.
—Katrina Bishop, CNBC, 2 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for exacerbate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate
Verb
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There is a real risk that cartels can fill the vacuum and worsen the mass migration in the region.—
MaryAlice Parks,
ABC News,
8 Feb. 2025
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Resting the muscle by avoiding activities that aggravate the muscle injury and worsen the pain gives the muscle time to heal.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But there are long-term costs, and not simply in the risk of beggar-thy-neighbor trade policies of the kind that deepened the Great Depression.—
Bret Stephens,
The Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2025
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Small portions quickly add up to big portions and deepen our debt.—
Cal Thomas,
arkansasonline.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In court: Australia captain Sam Kerr is on trial this week for an offense of causing racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress of a police officer.—
Emily Olsen,
The Athletic,
4 Feb. 2025
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In November 2024, Shamika Mitchell, 38, was convicted of unlawful desertion of a child and aggravated child abuse, according to the State’s Attorney for Florida’s 7th Circuit.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The purge intensified Monday when, according to the New York Times, former IG office staffers were directed to surrender to their agencies work laptops, phones, parking decals, and ID cards.—
Andrew C. McCarthy,
National Review,
1 Feb. 2025
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Keep in mind, Venus will meet with Pluto in your sign on Feb. 7, which could intensify dynamics between you and a close friend or acquaintance.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
1 Feb. 2025
Verb
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An anesthesiologist warned that his obesity could complicate IV access and proper drug dosage.—
Amir Daftari,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
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But efforts to increase staff may be complicated by the Trump administration.—
Daniel Desrochers,
Kansas City Star,
31 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near exacerbate
Cite this Entry
“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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