Synonyms for exacerbate
Most common
Definitions
- v. 1
To make worse (a problem, bad situation, negative feeling, etc.).
The proposed shutdown would exacerbate unemployment problems.
Forms
- Past participle
- exacerbated
e.g. exacerbated → aggravated, worsened, exasperated, intensified…
Example sentences
- intensify It is unavoidable that the fighting will intensify.
- worsen Ziri's actions will only worsen Rima's situation.
- aggravate The taunts at the end of the match failed to aggravate Tom.
- exasperate Sorry, I didn't mean to exasperate you with my endless questions.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| exacerbate | rising | |
| intensify | falling | |
| worsen | rising | |
| aggravate | falling | |
| exasperate | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 6 letters
- uplift2, worsen2
- 7 letters
- provoke2, inflame2, envenom
- 8 letters
- increase2, irritate3, heighten2, embitter3
- 9 letters
- intensify4, aggravate3, infuriate4
- 10 letters
- exasperate4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (uplift2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- exacerber
- Italiano
- esacerbare