exacerbates

VERB

infuriate; make worse

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aggravate annoy heighten inflame intensify irritate provoke worsen

STRONG

embitter enrage envenom exasperate excite increase madden vex

WEAK

add insult to injury egg on fan the flames feed the fire go from bad to worse heat up hit on push one's button rattle one's cage rub salt in a wound

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid alleviate appease calm delight help improve make happy please soothe

STRONG

comfort compose pacify placate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

exacerbates

Homeowners’ prepayment options become more valuable, which exacerbates negative convexity for mortgage bonds.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026

“It also exacerbates the pressures facing America’s electric grid by forcing critical existing power plants into early retirement and severely restricting the operation of new natural gas plants,” Matheson said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

This in turn exacerbates dangers such as flooding.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

"That does nothing to resolve conflict; science shows it only exacerbates the conflict."

From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026

I’m frightened, but I’m not sure what I’m afraid of, which just exacerbates the fear.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

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