English

exacerbate

ɪɡˈzæsərˌbeɪt, ɪɡˈzæs.ɚ.beɪt, ɪkˈsæs-, ɪɡˈzæsəˌbeɪt, ɪɡˈzæsɚˌbeɪt
Meaning: to make a problem or bad situation worse
Part of Speech: Verb Alternative Readings: ɪɡˈzæs.ɚ.beɪt, ɪkˈsæs-, ɪɡˈzæsəˌbeɪt, ɪɡˈzæsɚˌbeɪt

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Verb inflections

Form Inflected form
Base exacerbate
3rd person singular present exacerbates
Present participle exacerbating
Past exacerbated
Will future will exacerbate
Going-to future going to exacerbate
Imperative negative don't exacerbate / do not exacerbate

Example

The lack of rain will exacerbate the current water shortage.
The lack of rain will only exacerbate the current water shortage.

Usage Notes

Commonly used with abstract nouns like 'problem', 'situation', 'crisis', or 'tensions'.

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