exacerbates

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'exacerbates' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something increases the severity, bitterness, or danger of a situation or problem. For example, "The recent economic downturn exacerbated existing poverty levels."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The quick-fix approach of many international bodies exacerbates this problem.

The Guardian

The kafala system in the Gulf exacerbates their precarious position, ILO experts say, by requiring every foreign worker in Qatar to have a local sponsor who employs them and supervises their stay.

The Guardian

The detention environment exacerbates their burden of care and the facilities and medical services provided are inadequate to accommodate their needs".

The Guardian

"If you can attract people whose personalities fit with your values then you are in magnificent shape," says Dan Brooke, chief marketing and communications officer at Channel 4. "Provided your values are meaningful and differentiated, that moth to a flame effect exacerbates your advantage, because you are getting all the best people who want to be like that working for you," he says.

The Guardian

The numbers trying to emigrate illegally, and the diplomatic friction with Europe that accompanies them, can only increase.Furthermore, Arab rulers are as old as their populations are young, a fact that only exacerbates political problems.

The Economist

The American system exacerbates these kinds of conflicts by forcing allegiances on all sorts of unrelated issues into tight alignment.The contours of the debate are broadly similar in Britain, but I'm not quite sure why climate-change scepticism hasn't conquered the Tories to the same extent it has triumphed among Republicans.

The Economist

But that argument counts for little with a hungry public.What's more, it exacerbates a vicious circle in which disgruntled government employees slow down at work, further sapping output and causing more shortages.

The Economist

Their own children also tend to be smaller.Previous estimates of hunger's impact were higher, but they treated it as something which exacerbates the problems of diseases such as measles, pneumonia and diarrhoea.

The Economist

The increase in speeds of mobile broadband exacerbates the problem.

The Economist

It certainly exacerbates one of the problems of this model of leadership that competition becomes intensely personal.

The Economist

Giving the IMF more resources, it is argued, exacerbates the crises it was designed to alleviate.Yes, it is an elegant theory.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exacerbates", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is worsening the situation. Clear subject-verb agreement enhances readability.

Common error

Avoid using "exacerbates" when you simply mean 'causes'. "Exacerbates" implies a pre-existing condition or situation that is being made worse, not initiated.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "exacerbates" is that of a transitive verb. It requires a subject that performs the action of making something worse and an object that is being worsened. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples showing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "exacerbates" is a transitive verb used to describe the act of making a situation or condition worse. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English, frequently appearing in news and media sources. While "exacerbates" is often confused with similar words like "causes", it's important to remember it implies the worsening of something already in existence. Utilizing this word correctly ensures precision in communicating the detrimental effects of various factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aggravates

Implies making something already bad even worse, often in a medical or figurative sense.

worsens

A direct synonym, indicating a decline in condition or quality.

intensifies

Suggests a strengthening or deepening of a condition, feeling, or effect.

compounds

Indicates that something is added to an existing problem, making it more complex.

heightens

Implies an increase in intensity or degree, often related to emotions or sensations.

inflames

Suggests stirring up or intensifying negative feelings or situations.

magnifies

Indicates making something appear larger or more significant than it already is.

fuels

Implies providing energy or support to something negative, causing it to grow.

sharpens

Suggests a more distinct or intense quality of something, often negative.

escalates

Indicates an increase in intensity or seriousness, often related to conflict or danger.

FAQs

How to use "exacerbates" in a sentence?

Use "exacerbates" to indicate that something makes a situation worse. For example, "The lack of funding "exacerbates" the problem of homelessness."

What can I say instead of "exacerbates"?

You can use alternatives like "worsens", "aggravates", or "intensifies" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "exacerbates" or "alleviates"?

"Exacerbates" means to make something worse, while "alleviates" means to relieve or lessen something. They are antonyms.

What's the difference between "exacerbates" and "compounds"?

"Exacerbates" implies making an existing problem worse, while "compounds" suggests adding new elements to an existing problem, making it more complex.