exacerbator
Makes things worse
An exacerbator is someone or something that makes a bad situation worse.
The term derives from exacerbate, meaning to aggravate or intensify something negative.
In medical contexts, an exacerbator may refer to a factor that triggers flare-ups of chronic conditions like asthma or COPD.
Stress is a known exacerbator of inflammatory diseases.
More broadly, any person who inflames tensions or worsens problems can be called an exacerbator.
One who provokes action
- agitatorOne who foments discord
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
- troublemakerOne who creates discord
- antagonistOne who opposes another
pot-stirrer · gossip · meddler · drama · tension · conflict · escalation · grudge
Protective tissue response
- flare-upSudden recurrence of symptoms
- triggerWhat initiates action
- allergenImmune response trigger
- irritantSource of vexation
symptom · condition · chronic · autoimmune · asthma · eczema · arthritis · relapse
Contributor to result
- variableProne to fluctuation
- catalystAgent enabling change
- contributorOne who provides something
- accelerantCombustion-intensifying substance
bottleneck · inefficiency · inequality · corruption · bureaucracy · policy · loophole · dysfunction
instigator
One who provokes action
- agitatorOne who foments discord
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
- troublemakerOne who creates discord
antagonist · pot-stirrer · gossip · meddler · drama · tension · conflict · escalation · grudge · resentment
inflammation
Protective tissue response
irritant · symptom · condition · chronic · autoimmune · asthma · eczema · arthritis · relapse · complication
factor
Contributor to result
- variableProne to fluctuation
- catalystAgent enabling change
- contributorOne who provides something
accelerant · bottleneck · inefficiency · inequality · corruption · bureaucracy · policy · loophole · dysfunction · instability
exacerbatorpeacemaker
Conflict resolution agent
conciliator · alleviator · resolver · problem-solver · mediator
exacerbate, exacerbation, exacerbated, exacerbates, exacerbating, exacerbations