Exacerbates

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Causes a difficulty or negative condition to become more severe or intense
2. Increases the seriousness or harmful effects of an issue or situation
3. Worsens an existing problem or aggravates a troublesome circumstance

Etymology: "Acerbus" in Latin meant sour, harsh, or bitter, and it came from "acer," meaning sharp. Adding the intensifying prefix "ex-" produced "exacerbare," to make something thoroughly bitter. Roman writers also used it for provoking or irritating a person. English first used the verb in that irritating sense, so to exacerbate someone was to exasperate them. The meaning of making an existing problem worse came later, growing from the idea of stirring up a painful condition. The same bitter root survives in "acerbic," used of sharp, biting wit.

Synonyms: intensifies, aggravates, worsens, amplifies, heightens

Antonyms: alleviates, mitigates, ameliorates, relieves, calms