exacerbated by

USAGE SUMMARY

"exacerbated by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that a situation has become worse due to a particular factor. For example, "The health crisis has been exacerbated by the government's failure to take timely action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This situation is exacerbated by afternoon napping.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It can be exacerbated by diet, too.

Independent

This was exacerbated by economic decline.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Insecurity is rife, exacerbated by the cuts.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is exacerbated by any drop".

The Guardian - Tech

Those concerns were exacerbated by Katrina.

The New York Times - Sports

The problem is exacerbated by militancy.

The Guardian

The structural vulnerabilities have been exacerbated by recent flooding.

The New York Times

This process was exacerbated by three further factors.

The Guardian

These local conditions are being exacerbated by global structural realities.

The Guardian

The risks to Malaysia are exacerbated by excessive credit growth.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exacerbated by" to clearly and concisely indicate that a specific factor has worsened an existing situation or problem. This helps to highlight the cause-and-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "exacerbated by" in overly simple sentences where a more direct word like "worsened" would suffice. This can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exacerbated by" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a preceding noun or clause. It indicates that the subject has been made worse, more severe, or more intense due to the influence of the object of the preposition "by". Ludwig confirms the proper usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exacerbated by" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that a situation has been made worse by a particular factor. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to establish a causal relationship, highlighting the element that contributed to the deterioration. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, use "exacerbated by" to clearly show how a specific factor worsened an existing situation. However, avoid overuse in overly simplistic sentences. Alternatives such as "worsened by" or "aggravated by" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worsened by

Replaces "exacerbated" with a simpler synonym, maintaining the core meaning of making something worse.

aggravated by

Similar to "exacerbated", but often implies a more active or intentional worsening of a situation.

intensified by

Focuses on the increase in strength or severity caused by a factor.

compounded by

Highlights the additive effect of a factor, making the situation even more complex or severe.

made worse by

A more direct and less formal way of expressing the same concept.

fueled by

Suggests that a factor is actively contributing to the worsening of a situation, providing energy or impetus.

heightened by

Emphasizes the increase in intensity or degree of something.

magnified by

Implies that a factor is making something seem larger or more significant than it actually is.

complicated by

Indicates that a factor is making a situation more complex and difficult to deal with.

inflamed by

Often used in contexts involving emotions or conflict, suggesting that a factor is making things more heated or volatile.

FAQs

How can I use "exacerbated by" in a sentence?

Use "exacerbated by" to show that something has made a situation or problem worse. For example, "The economic crisis was "exacerbated by" rising unemployment rates."

What are some alternatives to "exacerbated by"?

You can use alternatives like "worsened by", "aggravated by", or "intensified by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, instead of saying "The problem was "exacerbated by" a lack of resources", you could say "The problem was "worsened by" a lack of resources".

Is it better to use "exacerbated by" or "aggravated by"?

"Exacerbated by" and "aggravated by" are similar, but "aggravated by" often implies a more active or intentional worsening. "Exacerbated by" is generally used for situations where something unintentionally makes a problem worse. Choose the phrase that best fits the context of your sentence.

What is the difference between "exacerbated by" and "compounded by"?

"Exacerbated by" indicates that something made an existing problem worse, while "compounded by" suggests that something added to the problem, making it more complex or severe. For instance, "The situation was "exacerbated by" the delay" means the delay made the existing situation worse. "The situation was "compounded by" the delay" means the delay added further problems.