English / word

exacerbate

verb C1

MEANING IN ENGLISH

to make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse or more severe

In context

His rude remarks only served to exacerbate the tension.

Climate change exacerbates flooding issues.

Synonyms

worsen,aggravate,intensify

Antonyms

alleviate,mitigate,ease

Collocations

exacerbate the problem,exacerbate tension,exacerbate symptoms

Past: exacerbated · Past participle: exacerbated · -ing: exacerbating