exacerbate

 
Pronunciation: /ɪgˈzasəbeɪt, ɛkˈsas-/

verb

[with object]
  • make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse: rising inflation was exacerbated by the collapse of oil prices

Derivatives

exacerbation

Pronunciation: /-ˈbeɪʃ(ə)n/
noun

Origin:

mid 17th century: from Latin exacerbat- 'made harsh', from the verb exacerbare, from ex- (expressing inducement of a state) + acerbus 'harsh, bitter'. The noun exacerbation (late Middle English) originally meant 'provocation to anger'