exacerbate

IPA/ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/
KK[ɪɡzˈæsɚbˌet]IPA/ɪɡˈzæsərbeɪt/

exacerbate — verb

  • exacerbatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • exacerbateshe / she / it
  • exacerbatedpast simple
  • exacerbating-ing form

1. to increase the severity or intensity of a problem, illness, or negative conditi

1.verbtransitiveC2
Definition

to increase the severity or intensity of a problem, illness, or negative condition that already exists

Example

The severe drought exacerbated the region's water shortage.

exacerbate + noun phrase for a problem

Rafael's constant criticism only exacerbated the tension between them.

Common collocations
  • exacerbate a problem
  • exacerbate tensions
  • exacerbate symptoms
  • exacerbate inequality
  • exacerbate conflict
Synonyms
  • worsen

    the most direct equivalent; less formal and more common in everyday speech

  • aggravate

    similar formality; often used for personal irritation as well as problems

  • intensify

    can be neutral or negative, broader in application

  • compound

    suggests adding a new element that makes an existing problem more complex

Antonyms
  • alleviate

    formal opposite, meaning to make less severe

  • mitigate

    formal, often used in legal and policy contexts, meaning to reduce severity

  • improve

    general opposite, less formal

Grammar Patterns

exacerbate + noun phrase

Usage Note

Common in formal writing and academic contexts, particularly when discussing problems, conflicts, or medical conditions. The object is always something negative that already exists — you cannot use 'exacerbate' with a neutral or positive situation.

Common Mistakes

He exacerbated his achievements to impress his boss.
He exaggerated his achievements to impress his boss.
'exacerbate' means to make a problem worse, not to overstate something.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe making a negative situation more serious, but they differ in register and nuance. 'Worsen' is the most direct and least formal — you can use it in everyday conversation ('The weather worsened'). 'Exacerbate' and 'aggravate' share a formal register, but 'aggravate' also carries a sense of personal irritation ('His comments aggravated me'). 'Intensify' is broader and can be neutral ('The colours intensified'), so it lacks the built-in negativity of 'exacerbate.' 'Compound' implies that a new factor is added to an already mixed problem, like compound interest on a debt. For example: 'Lack of funding exacerbated the crisis' suggests the crisis became worse; 'Lack of funding compounded the crisis' suggests an additional layer of difficulty was added.

worsen ↗aggravate ↗intensify ↗compound ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • exacerbate a problem
  • exacerbate tensions
  • exacerbate symptoms
  • exacerbate inequality
  • exacerbate conflict

Adverbs

  • greatly exacerbate
  • further exacerbate
  • only exacerbate

Phrases

  • exacerbate an already difficult situation

Prepositions

  • exacerbate by [cause]

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin 'exacerbāre' (to provoke, make bitter), formed from 'ex-' (thoroughly) + 'acerbus' (harsh, bitter). The word entered English in the mid-1600s, first carrying the sense of 'to embitter or irritate,' which later shifted to the modern meaning of making a bad situation worse.