EXACERBATE (Adj.)

Meaning- to make (a bad situation, a problem, etc.) worse.

Mnemonic trick- The word exacerbate comes from word acerbic. root word ‘ac’ means bitter or sharp. Word ‘acrid’ also comes from root word ‘ac’, which means unpleasantly sharp or bitter. Therefore, exacerbate means to make more violent, bitter, or severe.

Synonym- WORSEN, AGGRAVATE

Uses-

•          This attack will exacerbate the already tense relations between the two communities.
•          Long standing poverty has been exacerbated by racial divisions.
•          Studies have found that smoking exacerbates sleeping and breathing disorders which make it difficult to get restful speech.
•          Poor economic condition has been exacerbated by the global slowdown.