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exacerbating

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.

Polling and sentiment gauges show that high gas prices are exacerbating worries about the cost of living.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

"A process involving Burnham also promises to be more protracted and 'noisy', thereby prolonging and exacerbating the uncertainty about the political situation in the UK," he said.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

Now, war in the Persian Gulf and new Chinese export restrictions have sent prices soaring and raised concerns about availability, exacerbating existing challenges.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

Retail traders are pulling money out of energy exchange-traded funds, exacerbating a selloff in the sector that has sent stocks down by double-digits from their peaks last month.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

If he jumped off now, Seabiscuit, obedient to equine instinct to flee pain, would probably tear over the track, exacerbating his injury.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand