English Explanatory Dictionary

exacerbate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To make worse (a problem, bad situation, negative feeling, etc.).

Pronunciation

ĭg-zăs'ər-bāt /ɪɡˈzæsɚˌbeɪt/ /ɪɡˈzæsəˌbeɪt/ /ɪkˈsæs-/ en-us-exacerbate.ogg

Word forms

exacerbate exacerbates exacerbating exacerbated

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”).

Synonyms

aggravate worsen

Related words

acerbate exacervation exasperate

Derived words

exacerbatingly exacerbation exacerbator exacerbatory unexacerbated
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