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EXACERBATE
verb | ig-ZASS-er-bayt
What It Means
Exacerbate means “to make more violent, bitter, or severe.”
// It seemed as though every new attempt at a solution served only to exacerbate the problem.
Examples of EXACERBATE
“If you tend to use the elliptical when you’re recovering from a running or other sports-related injury, this could be the machine for you. Even though ellipticals are known to be one of the best options for low-impact exercise, they can sometimes still exacerbate joint pain or healing injuries. This machine, however, is similar to a recumbent bike in that you use it while seated, which takes stress off your back and eliminates potential additional body fatigue.” — Emilia Benton, SFGate.com (San Francisco), 15 Dec. 2022
Merriam Webster Dictionary