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
Trump policies may exacerbate climate change, but global warming was hardly on a positive trajectory before his election in November.
—
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025
This further exacerbates Joe's measly sheriff's office, consisting of two deputies who now double as his bumbling campaign staff.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 18 July 2025
But the temporary shutdown exacerbated an existing backlog of applications.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
If your scalp is already sensitive, synthetic hair can exacerbate your sensitivity.
—Essence, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025
This further exacerbates Joe's measly sheriff's office, consisting of two deputies who now double as his bumbling campaign staff.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 18 July 2025
But the temporary shutdown exacerbated an existing backlog of applications.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
If your scalp is already sensitive, synthetic hair can exacerbate your sensitivity.
—Essence, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for exacerbate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate
Verb
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This misinformation can also lead to insurance denials, distorted retirement planning, and worsened stigma.—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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Most of the Corn Belt and Midwest remain drought-free, except for northern Illinois where conditions worsened, the agency said.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Beyond product, the brand is committed to deepening its physical presence in key markets.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
24 July 2025
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The molasses notes in brown sugar deepen the Teddy Graham flavor, making the drink feel even more like a cookie in a cup.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 July 2025
Verb
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The fall aggravated damage to his neck and back from an ATV accident 16 years before.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
22 July 2025
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Jail records show Denis, who is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, is also facing fleeing and eluding and aggravated battery charges.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
21 July 2025
Verb
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The scrutiny then further intensified following a Thursday report from the Wall Street Journal citing a 50th birthday letter from Trump to Epstein that included an outline of a naked woman, sketched in marker, and Trump's signature.—
Mandy Taheri
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
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The civil war in Syria intensified in 2014 as the PKK was withdrawing its fighters from Turkey.—
Ragip Soylu,
Time,
18 July 2025
Verb
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Politicians often trap themselves in narratives during campaigns that go on to complicate their efforts to govern.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
17 July 2025
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Projections of up to 97 days of nuisance high-tide flooding a year by 2050 will complicate this.—
Jeremy Sabol,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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