exacerbated
C1Formal/Academic
Definition
Meaning
To make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse.
To increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a deliberate action or a factor that intensifies an already negative state; carries a sense of aggravation and irritation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Slightly higher frequency in British English medical/clinical contexts.
Connotations
Identical connotations of worsening a negative condition.
Frequency
More common in written than spoken English in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP exacerbated NPbe exacerbated by NPVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “add fuel to the fire”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The supply chain delays were exacerbated by the port strike.
Academic
Climate change is exacerbated by deforestation.
Everyday
His criticism only exacerbated her anxiety about the presentation.
Technical
The patient's respiratory symptoms were exacerbated by the infection.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new policy exacerbated the housing shortage in the city.
- Her remarks exacerbated an already tense situation during the meeting.
American English
- The medication exacerbated his symptoms, so the doctor discontinued it.
- Poor communication only exacerbated the divisions within the team.
adverb
British English
- The situation worsened exacerbatingly fast.
adjective
British English
- He spoke with an exacerbated tone after the long delay.
- The report detailed the exacerbated conditions in the refugee camp.
American English
- She felt an exacerbated sense of frustration as the project stalled.
- The patient presented with exacerbated pain.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bad weather exacerbated our travel problems.
- The economic crisis was exacerbated by a sudden drop in oil prices.
- His inflammatory comments exacerbated tensions between the two groups.
- The pre-existing ethnic divisions were severely exacerbated by the government's discriminatory policies.
- Symptoms of the autoimmune disease can be exacerbated by periods of intense psychological stress.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: EX-ACERB-ated. ACERB relates to 'acerbic' (sharp/harsh). Exacerbate means to make something more harsh or severe.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WOUND (making a wound deeper/more painful); FIRE (adding fuel to a fire).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'exaggerated' (преувеличенный). 'Exacerbated' is worsen (усугублять), not overstate.
- Not 'exasperated' (раздраженный), though both can describe a worsened emotional state.
Common Mistakes
- Using as a synonym for 'caused' (e.g., 'The rain exacerbated the picnic' – incorrect unless the picnic was already failing).
- Misspelling as 'exascerbated' or 'exaccerbated'.
- Using in positive contexts (e.g., 'exacerbated our joy' – incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is the word 'exacerbated' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'exacerbated' is only used for negative situations, problems, or feelings, making them worse.
They are often synonyms. Traditionally, 'aggravate' meant 'to make worse', while 'exacerbate' implied 'to increase the severity/bitterness'. In modern usage, they are largely interchangeable in this sense, though 'exacerbate' is more formal.
It is more common in formal, written, academic, or professional contexts (news, reports, analysis). In everyday casual speech, people often use simpler words like 'made worse' or 'worsened'.
The noun form is 'exacerbation' (e.g., 'an exacerbation of symptoms').