exacerbates
Intensifies the problem
Exacerbates means makes worse or more severe.
Problems, symptoms, tensions, and conflicts can all be exacerbated: The drought exacerbated food shortages.
The word implies something already bad becoming worse, not creating a new problem.
It's more formal than "makes worse" and appears often in medical, political, and academic contexts.
Makes more severe
- worsensBecomes less favorable
- compoundsBonded element substances
- intensifiesIncreases in strength
- amplifiesIncreases strength or volume
heightens · magnifies · deepens · inflames · provokes · deteriorates · complicates · exaggerates
Makes more severe
- inflamesArouses intense emotion
- irritatesProvokes mild anger
- flaresPyrotechnic distress signals
- triggersCauses or activates
worsens · complicates · strains · stresses · weakens · compromises · destabilizes · undermines
aggravates
Makes more severe
- worsensBecomes less favorable
- compoundsBonded element substances
- intensifiesIncreases in strength
amplifies · heightens · magnifies · deepens · inflames · provokes · deteriorates · complicates · exaggerates · sharpens
aggravates
Makes more severe
triggers · worsens · complicates · strains · stresses · weakens · compromises · destabilizes · undermines · impairs
escalates
Increases in intensity
- snowballsCompacted winter precipitation orbs
- spiralsCurves circling a center
- surgesAbrupt powerful rises
swells · builds · proliferates · spikes · balloons · mushrooms · mounts · climbs · ratchets · cascades
inflames
Arouses intense emotion
- antagonizesActively creates hostility
- enragesCauses intense anger
- embittersCauses deep resentment
polarizes · alienates · divides · estranges · provokes · aggrieves · incites · stirs · foments · kindles
exacerbatesalleviates
Reduces severity of
ameliorates · relieves · mitigates · eases · lessens
exacerbate, exacerbation, exacerbated, exacerbating, exacerbations