Word
exacerbate
Phoneticsex·ac·er·bate, stress on the second syllable
US/ɪɡˈzæsɝˌbeɪt/
UK/ɛɡzˈæsəbˌeɪt/
Definition
v. to make a bad situation, feeling, or problem much worse. You use this when something already difficult becomes even more difficult.
v. to make a condition, situation, or feeling worse. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the negative state being intensified.
Examples
“The cold weather exacerbates my allergies.”
“The manager's harsh criticism exacerbated the tension in the office, leading to several employees leaving early.”
“Economic instability often exacerbates social inequalities, as the most vulnerable members of the population are the first to lose their jobs and savings.”
Examples
simple
“The cold weather exacerbates my allergies.”
contextual
“The manager's harsh criticism exacerbated the tension in the office, leading to several employees leaving early.”
complex
“Economic instability often exacerbates social inequalities, as the most vulnerable members of the population are the first to lose their jobs and savings.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “exacerbate” in context.
Verb
01. exacerbate problem
“The lack of funding will only exacerbate the existing problem of overcrowding in schools.”
verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“Spain's population schism was further exacerbated during the 2008 financial crisis, which hit the country hard.” “They included people whose breathing problems and other underlying health conditions were exacerbated by the heat, it said.” “Low flows exacerbate pressure on water supplies and irrigation, aquatic ecosystems, river transport and energy production.” “Both struggle with health conditions exacerbated by the recent heatwaves.” Etymology
First attested in 1660; borrowed from Latin exacerbātus, perfect passive participle of Latin exacerbō (“to provoke”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from ex- (“out of; thoroughly”) + acerbō (“to embitter, harshen or worsen”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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