exacerbate

/ɛgˈzæsərbeɪt/

/ɛgˈzæsəbeɪt/

Other forms: exacerbated; exacerbating; exacerbates

For a formal-sounding verb that means to make worse, try exacerbate. If you're in trouble, complaining about it will only exacerbate the problem.

Exacerbate is related to the adjective acrid, often used to describe sharp-smelling smoke. Think of exacerbate then as a sharp or bitter thing that makes something worse. A drought will exacerbate a country's food shortage. Worsen, intensify, aggravate and compound are similar, but exacerbate has the sense of an irritant being added in to make something bad even worse.

Definitions of exacerbate

1. verb

   make worse
   synonyms: aggravate, exasperate, worsen

   types:

   irritate

   excite to an abnormal condition, or chafe or inflame

   inflame

   cause inflammation in

   cheapen, degrade

   lower the grade of something; reduce its worth

   devaluate, devalue

   remove the value from; deprive of its value

   chafe, fret, gall

   become or make sore by or as if by rubbing

   itch, rub, scratch

   scrape or rub as if to relieve itching

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
2. verb

   exasperate or irritate
   synonyms: aggravate, exasperate

   type of:

   anger

   make angry