Exacerbate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
Meaning & Definition of Exacerbate
Exacerbate (verb)
- to make (something bad or unpleasant) worse
Exacerbate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
-
to make more severe
"a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem"
Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Exacerbate
The most common words with a similar meaning to Exacerbate:
Antonyms & Opposite Words for Exacerbate
Words with the opposite meaning of Exacerbate:
Near Antonyms of Exacerbate
Word Forms of Exacerbate
Inflections: exacerbated, exacerbating
Derived words: exacerbation (noun)
Origin & Etymology of Exacerbate
borrowed from Latin exacerbātus, past participle of exacerbāre "to irritate, exasperate, make worse," from ex- ex-:1 + acerbāre "to make bitter, make worse," verbal derivative of acerbus "acid, bitter, bitterly hostile, distressing" acerb
First known use: 1660
Frequently Asked Questions about Exacerbate
What does "Exacerbate" mean?
"Exacerbate" means to make (something bad or unpleasant) worse. As a verb, it is defined as: to make (something bad or unpleasant) worse.
What is another word for "Exacerbate"?
Other words for "Exacerbate" include aggravate, complicate and worsen. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Exacerbate" you intend.
What is the opposite of "Exacerbate"?
Antonyms of "Exacerbate" include allay, alleviate, assuage, ease, help, mitigate and relieve. Near antonyms include ameliorate, better and improve.
How do you use "Exacerbate" in a sentence?
Examples of "Exacerbate" in a sentence: "a misconceived plan that only exacerbated the city's traffic problem".
Is "Exacerbate" a noun, verb, or adjective?
"Exacerbate" is a verb.
How do you pronounce "Exacerbate"?
"Exacerbate" is pronounced /ig-ˈza-sər-ˌbāt/ and divided into syllables as ex·ac·er·bate.
What is the origin of the word "Exacerbate"?
"Exacerbate" comes from borrowed from Latin exacerbātus, past participle of exacerbāre "to irritate, exasperate, make worse," from ex- ex-:1 + acerbāre "to make bitter, make worse," verbal derivative of acerbus "acid, bitter, bitterly hostile, distressing" acerb. First known use: 1660.
What is another word for "Exacerbate" meaning "to make more severe"?
When "Exacerbate" (verb) means to make more severe, synonyms include aggravate, complicate and worsen. Opposites in this sense include allay, alleviate, assuage and ease.