exacerbate the rift

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exacerbate the rift" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations that worsen a divide or conflict between groups or individuals. Example: "The recent policy changes are likely to exacerbate the rift between management and employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He said it would exacerbate the rift between Trump and the FBI.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But analysts have accused the Trump administration of sending mixed signals, exacerbating the rift.

The New York Times

It was a private moment, but one that telegraphed much about Bishara's lead role in exposing and exacerbating the rift inside Israel between Jewish and Arab citizens -- Israeli Arabs who, in fact, increasingly prefer and demand to be called Israeli Palestinians.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nadine Dorries, the Conservative MP newly evicted from the confected hardships of I'm a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here, has risked exacerbating the rift with her party by insisting she was given prior permission to take up to a month away from political duties.

The Guardian

"Acts of sabotage and extreme violence are deliberately used to provoke violent responses on the part of the state, further exacerbating the rift between civil society and the nation's security forces," Alexander Wilde, executive director of the liberal Washington Office on Latin America, told members of Congress.

The New York Times

Marty Mankamyer Marty Mankamyer, 69, resigned as U.S. Olympic Committee president Tuesday night, after colleagues blamed her for exacerbating the rifts within the powerful national Olympic committee.

Forbes

However, the accounts published after the battle exacerbated the rifts which were already growing between the moderates and Presbyterians on the one hand and the Independents on the other.

Wikipedia

There is a high expectation that the coming days will only exacerbate the deep rift among Egyptians, causing greater unrest and instability.

BBC

The rift risks exacerbating ethnic polarization, especially with coalition leaders claiming that Ghani is brazenly limiting power, not just to Pashtuns, but also to a small group of confidants from his clan — and all under the nose of American advisers who espouse inclusive governance.

The Washington Post

The issue of the shortfall also has exacerbated a rift on the City Council, which is split between Mr. Amicone's supporters and his critics, who insist that he has not done enough to trim spending on the Police and Fire Departments and other agencies on the administration's side.

The New York Times

The cabinet now has to find money to repay the pensioners, which will likely exacerbate rifts within the ruling coalition ahead of the October 2010 parliamentary elections and threaten the IMF-led bailout.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exacerbate the rift", ensure that the context clearly establishes the pre-existing division or disagreement. This phrase is most effective when highlighting the worsening of an already tense situation.

Common error

Avoid using "exacerbate the rift" when introducing the initial cause of a division. This phrase is specifically for actions that worsen an existing divide, not for creating one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exacerbate the rift" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action that intensifies a pre-existing division or disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples show its use in describing the worsening of political, social, and interpersonal divides.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exacerbate the rift" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes the act of worsening an existing division or disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it carries a neutral to professional tone. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the pre-existing division and the specific action that intensifies it. Consider alternatives like "worsen the division" or "intensify the conflict" for slight variations in emphasis or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worsen the division

Replaces "exacerbate" with "worsen" and "rift" with "division", resulting in a more straightforward expression.

intensify the conflict

Substitutes "exacerbate" with "intensify" and "rift" with "conflict", emphasizing a heightened state of antagonism.

aggravate the divide

Uses "aggravate" instead of "exacerbate", keeping "divide" as a synonym for "rift".

deepen the schism

Employs "deepen" in place of "exacerbate" and "schism" as a more formal alternative to "rift".

fuel the discord

Replaces the original phrase to suggest actively contributing to existing disagreement.

heighten the tension

Focuses on the emotional aspect of the division by using "tension" instead of "rift".

compound the disagreement

Highlights the compounding effect on the existing disagreement, rather than the division itself.

amplify the divide

Suggests an increase in the perception or effect of the division.

escalate the dispute

Shifts the focus to the active escalation of an existing dispute.

magnify the conflict

Implies an exaggeration of the existing conflict's importance or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "exacerbate the rift" in a sentence?

Use "exacerbate the rift" to describe actions or events that worsen an existing division or disagreement, for example: "The new policy changes will likely "exacerbate the rift" between management and employees".

What are some alternatives to "exacerbate the rift"?

Alternatives include "worsen the division", "intensify the conflict", or "aggravate the divide", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "exacerbate a rift" instead of "exacerbate the rift"?

While grammatically acceptable, "exacerbate a rift" is less common. "Exacerbate the rift" implies a specific, already-established division, whereas "exacerbate a rift" suggests a more general or newly emerging one. The choice depends on your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "exacerbate the rift" and "create a rift"?

"Exacerbate the rift" means to worsen an existing division, while "create a rift" means to cause a division to form in the first place. They describe different stages of a conflict or disagreement.