exacerbate

Meaning

To make worse (a problem, bad situation, negative feeling, etc.).

Synonyms

aggravate

worsen

exasperate

embitter

intensify

acerbate

irritate

rile

chafe

fret

inflame

make worse

provoke

get worse

goad

gravel

hamper

hinder

incite

whet

excite

irk

embarrass

jar

🫙

make difficult

worse

miff

nark

nettle

obstruct

peeve

pique

complicate

rag

rankle

reinforce

compound

sharpen

spite

stimulate

strengthen

stymie

stymy

tease

tick off

ferment

vex

gall

get

Translations

exacerbar

exacerber

esacerbare

empirer

agravar

esasperare

verschlimmern

peggiorare

irriter

exacerbar

kızdırmak

agraver

aggravare

aggraver

verschärfen

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɪɡˈzæsɚˌbeɪt/

Etymology

First attested in 1660; borrowed from Latin exacerbātus, perfect passive participle of Latin exacerbō (“to provoke”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from ex- (“out of; thoroughly”) + acerbō (“to embitter, harshen or worsen”).