as in to worsen
to make more severe a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem

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Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exacerbate But these topline figures mask underlying economic weaknesses, exacerbated by Western sanctions. Theodore Bunzel, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2024 Excess iodine can exacerbate thyroid issues, especially for people with hyperthyroidism. Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024 Low staffing, exacerbated by the high cost of living in the Bay Area, also contributed to the decision to close the facility, the agency said. Michael R. Sisak and Michael Balsamo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024 Their removal would exacerbate an already critical labor shortage in these fields, leaving millions of Americans without adequate care. Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exacerbate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacerbate
Verb
  • In fact, a 2016 study found that blue light worsened migraine pain.
    Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Yet heroin insinuated the lives of Stein and Harry at the peak of their success in the early 1980s, and the group’s fortunes faded as the addiction worsened.
    Jem Aswad, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • One such Art Basel Miami Beach artist whose work has deepened many horizons is Clarence James, a Washington, D.C.-based former street artist whose journey from graffiti to galleries has led to collaborations with Fendi and Chanel.
    Lilian Raji, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, reported that the assault had 'seriously damaged' its thermal power plants, deepening concerns about the country's energy stability while winter sets in.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The driver, 26-year-old Nicholas Chavez, was arrested on charges including aggravated DUI driving wrong way, a Class 4 felony.
    Karen Bartunek, The Arizona Republic, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Much of the vitriol has targeted the health care industry, which aggravates consumers more than corporations overall, Tom Rogers, the founder of CNBC, told ABC News.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The rhetoric coming from the White House was less hostile, but getting tough on China had become a political necessity for whoever was president, and the trade war only intensified.
    Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
  • China's naval maneuvers near Taiwan intensified over the weekend, with Taiwan's Defense Ministry reporting 14 warships, seven military aircraft, and four balloons in the region.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • These regulations are further complicated by cultural norms and expectations.
    Rick Hammell, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
  • And surely office life is complicated by partner hires.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Exacerbate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacerbate. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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