WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
ex•ac•er•bate /ɪgˈzæsɚˌbeɪt, ɛkˈsæs-/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object] -bat•ed, -bat•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- to make (something) worse:If you try to argue now you'll only exacerbate the situation.
ex•ac•er•bate
(ig zas′ər bāt′, ek sas′-),USA pronunciation v.t., -bat•ed, -bat•ing.
ex•ac′er•bat′ing•ly, adv.
ex•ac′er•ba′tion, n.
- to increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of (disease, ill feeling, etc.);
aggravate. - to embitter the feelings of (a person);
irritate;
exasperate.
- Latin exacerbātus (past participle of exacerbāre to exasperate, provoke), equivalent. to ex- ex-1 + acerbātus acerbate
- 1650–60
ex•ac′er•ba′tion, n.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged intensify, inflame, worsen.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged relieve, soothe, alleviate.