exacerbating the suffering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exacerbating the suffering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing situations or actions that worsen pain or distress. Example: "The lack of medical supplies is exacerbating the suffering of the patients in the hospital."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Continued military escalation is exacerbating the suffering of ordinary Syrians and Palestinians alike".

BBC

Thus, while the aim of ECT treatment is to reduce patient suffering, experiences like the one noted above suggest that ECT treatment carries with it a risk of exacerbating the suffering of depression.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Nevertheless, such transformations cannot be prompted by external intervention, which exacerbate the suffering of ordinary citizens.

The Guardian

He added: "Deterrence policies sold to the public as humanitarian solutions have only exacerbated the suffering of people in need.

The Guardian

The other chemicals can either ease or exacerbate the suffering the pancuronium bromide causes, depending on the dosages and the expertise of the prison personnel who administer them.

The New York Times

"These events and the related uncertainty have undoubtedly exacerbated the suffering Mrs Albert's family have had to endure since Joan was murdered.

Independent

That the flimsy domiciles and precarious lives of poverty pervasive throughout the disaster zone may exacerbate the suffering is only a partial substitute for a real villain.

The Washington Post

Steven Zyck, a research fellow at the Overseas Development Institute, said the intensification of the fighting and fragmentation of the state would only exacerbate the suffering of Yemenis and make it harder for aid workers to reach those most in need.

The Guardian

Today, even as soaring energy and food prices exacerbate the suffering of the world's poor, the richest nations are falling far behind on their aid commitments — and behind their past giving.

The New York Times

Suffolk Police said at the time of Hall's admission that the "uncertainty [had] undoubtedly exacerbated the suffering" of Mrs Albert's family.

BBC

"All it has done is prolong and exacerbate the suffering of more than 150 asylum seekers and their families," said Graeme McGregor, the group's refugee campaign co-ordinator.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exacerbating the suffering" when you want to emphasize that a specific action or situation is actively making an existing condition of suffering worse. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the suffering to intensify.

Common error

Avoid using "exacerbating the suffering" when the cause of the suffering is vague or unclear. Be specific about what factor is contributing to the increased distress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exacerbating the suffering" functions as a verb phrase acting upon a noun. It describes the action of making a state of suffering worse. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exacerbating the suffering" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the act of worsening an existing state of distress. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, it appears across diverse contexts, prominently in news, scientific, and formal communications. When writing, make sure to clearly show what is causing the suffering to intensify. Alternatives include "worsening the anguish" and "intensifying the hardship".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worsening the anguish

Focuses specifically on intensifying emotional pain or mental distress.

intensifying the hardship

Highlights the increase in difficulty or adversity experienced.

aggravating the pain

Emphasizes the increase in physical or emotional discomfort.

deepening the misery

Implies a progression into a more profound state of unhappiness or sorrow.

heightening the distress

Focuses on amplifying a state of worry, anxiety, or suffering.

augmenting the sorrow

Highlights the expansion or increase in feelings of sadness or grief.

fueling the torment

Suggests active contribution to the intensification of suffering.

inflaming the agony

Paints a picture of making intense suffering even more fervent or acute.

magnifying the affliction

Emphasizes how suffering is made more noticeable or impactful.

compounding the grief

Highlights that suffering is not just increased but also layered with additional burdens.

FAQs

How can I use "exacerbating the suffering" in a sentence?

You can use "exacerbating the suffering" to describe actions or situations that worsen an existing state of distress. For instance, "The lack of resources is exacerbating the suffering of the refugees."

What are some alternatives to "exacerbating the suffering"?

Alternatives include "worsening the anguish", "intensifying the hardship", or "aggravating the pain". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "alleviating the suffering" or "reducing the suffering"?

Both "alleviating the suffering" and "reducing the suffering" are appropriate, but they have slightly different nuances. "Alleviating the suffering" implies making the suffering more bearable, while "reducing the suffering" suggests lessening the overall amount or intensity of suffering.

What is the difference between "exacerbating the suffering" and "prolonging the suffering"?

"Exacerbating the suffering" means making the suffering worse or more intense, while "prolonging the suffering" means extending the duration of the suffering. One increases the intensity, the other increases the length of time.