exacerbate

Definition

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

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”).

Example Sentences

• "Near-synonym: worsen"
• "The proposed shutdown would exacerbate unemployment problems."
• "Sino-Soviet relations were exacerbated by a border incident on May 9. Beijing charged that thirty Soviet troops, supported by a helicopter and navy boats, crossed the Ussuri River into the Hulin area of Heilongjiang province."

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