EXACERBATED

Definition of EXACERBATED

EXACERBATED Verb and Adjective

Exacerbated serves as both a verb and an adjective. As a verb, it refers to the action of making a problem, situation, or condition worse or more severe. As an adjective, it describes something that has been worsened or aggravated by certain factors.

EXACERBATED as a verb

Making Problems Worse: As a verb, exacerbated describes the act of worsening an already problematic or challenging situation. For example, “The heavy rain exacerbated the flooding,” means that the rain made the flooding worse.

Intensifying Conditions: Exacerbated can refer to the intensification of conditions, such as symptoms or tensions. For instance, “The new policy exacerbated the existing conflicts,” indicates that the policy made the conflicts more severe.

Aggravating Existing Issues: When used as a verb, exacerbated denotes the aggravation of existing issues or problems. For example, “Ignoring the warnings exacerbated the environmental damage,” means that neglecting the warnings worsened the damage.

EXACERBATED as an adjective

Worsened or Aggravated: As an adjective, exacerbated describes something that has been worsened or aggravated by specific factors. For instance, “The exacerbated symptoms of the illness made recovery more difficult,” means that the symptoms have become more severe.

Intensified Conditions: Exacerbated can also describe conditions or situations that have been made more intense. For example, “The exacerbated economic downturn led to increased unemployment,” suggests that the downturn has worsened the economic situation.

Impact on Health or Situations: In medical or situational contexts, exacerbated describes the state of being made worse. For example, “The exacerbated condition required more urgent medical attention,” indicates that the condition has deteriorated.

In summary, exacerbated functions as both a verb and an adjective. As a verb, it refers to the act of making a problem or condition worse. As an adjective, it describes something that has been worsened or aggravated. Understanding exacerbated helps in recognizing its role in describing the worsening of issues and conditions in various contexts.

Examples of EXACERBATED in a sentence

EXACERBATED as a verb in a sentence

  • The ongoing drought exacerbated the already severe water shortage in the region.
  • Her lack of sleep exacerbated her stress, making it difficult for her to focus at work.
  • The heated argument exacerbated the tensions between the two colleagues.
  • Poor air quality exacerbated his asthma symptoms, forcing him to seek medical attention.
  • The heavy traffic exacerbated the frustration of the commuters stuck on the highway.
  • The government’s delayed response exacerbated the economic crisis, leading to widespread discontent.
  • His rude comments only exacerbated the situation, causing further conflict.
  • The injury, left untreated, exacerbated, making it difficult for him to walk.

EXACERBATED as an adjective in a sentence

  • The patient’s exacerbated condition required immediate attention from the medical team.
  • The exacerbated tensions between the two nations led to the breakdown of peace talks.
  • His exacerbated anxiety made it difficult for him to socialize in large groups.
  • The exacerbated pain in her knee signaled a worsening of the injury.
  • The environmental damage was exacerbated by the unchecked industrial pollution.
  • Their argument left the room in an exacerbated state of hostility.
  • The economic crisis was exacerbated by poor financial planning and governance.
  • The already difficult situation became exacerbated after the power outage.

Origin of EXACERBATED

The word exacerbated has its origins in Latin, passing through Old French before entering English, and it describes the act of making a situation worse or more severe.

  • Latin:
    • Exacerbare (to make worse)
    • The Latin verb exacerbare comes from ex- (out) and acerbus (harsh or bitter). It means to make something worse or more severe.
  • Old French:
    • Exacerber (to intensify, worsen)
    • In Old French, exacerber adopted the Latin sense of making a situation more severe or intense, reflecting the idea of worsening a condition.
  • Middle English:
    • Exacerbated (made worse, intensified)
    • By Middle English, exacerbated was used to describe situations or conditions that had been worsened or intensified, reflecting the sense from Old French and Latin.
  • Modern English:
    • Exacerbated (increased the severity of)
    • In Modern English, exacerbated describes the act of making a problem, situation, or condition worse, maintaining its historical roots.

The term exacerbated has retained its core meaning of worsening or intensifying from its Latin origin in exacerbare, through Old French and Middle English, to its current use in English, where it denotes the act of increasing the severity of a situation.

Synonyms

  • Aggravated
  • Intensified
  • Worsened
  • Escalated
  • Heightened
  • Amplified
  • Inflamed
  • Increased

Antonyms

  • Alleviated
  • Mitigated
  • Reduced
  • Eased
  • Diminished
  • Ameliorated
  • Softened
  • Lessened

Related

  • Stress
  • Strain
  • Compounded
  • Exasperated
  • Irritated
  • Agitation
  • Distress
  • Enhancement

🌐 🇬🇧 EXACERBATED in other languages

Terms of Use

Privacy & Cookies

Disclaimer

Who We Are

Main Sections

Idioms

Geographical Locations

Organisations

Professions

Let´s Talk

Contact

Instagram

® 2024 https://DefinitionGo.com