Pronunciation: [ɛɡzˈasəbˌe͡ɪt] (IPA) 
The word "exacerbate" is spelled with the letter "x" which makes the "ks" sound. This corresponds to the IPA symbol /ks/. The rest of the word is pronounced with the schwa sound /ə/ in the first syllable followed by the stressed "s" sound /s/ in the second syllable. The word means to make a problem, situation, or feeling worse, and is often used in medical contexts to describe the worsening of symptoms in a patient's condition.
Exacerbate is a verb that is used to describe the act of making a situation, condition, or problem more severe, intense, or worse. It involves increasing the intensity, severity, or violence of something, thereby worsening its effects or consequences.
When someone exacerbates a problem, they aggravate or intensify the negative aspects of it. This can happen through various means, such as adding fuel to an argument, escalating tensions in a conflict, or worsening a physical or emotional condition. For example, pouring gasoline on a fire exacerbates the flames, making them burn even hotter and more dangerous.
In a broader context, exacerbate often refers to making a situation more difficult or complicated, hindering or delaying its resolution or improvement. It can be used to describe the action of worsening relationships, economic conditions, or social issues, among other things. For instance, policies that increase taxes during an economic recession may exacerbate the financial struggle faced by citizens.
The term exacerbate is often used in medical contexts to describe the act of making a disease, illness, or symptom more severe or acute. For instance, ignoring symptoms and delaying treatment can exacerbate a health condition, leading to more serious consequences.
Overall, exacerbate describes the action of making something worse, intensifying its negative aspects, and hindering its resolution or improvement.
To exasperate; to inflame angry passions; to irritate highly.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "exacerbate" originated from the Latin verb "exacerbo", which means "to irritate or make worse". This Latin term is a combination of "ex" (meaning "out") and "acerbus" (meaning "harsh" or "bitter"). Thus, "exacerbate" can be understood as "to make bitter" or "to make harsher". The English word "exacerbate" has been in use since the late 17th century, and it retains its original meaning of making something worse or more severe.
