verb
- to make worse or more severe; to aggravate or intensify
Usage: formal
Examples
- The harsh criticism only acerbates the student’s anxiety about public speaking.
- Poor communication acerbates conflicts between team members.
- The medication acerbates her stomach problems rather than helping them.
- His sarcastic comments acerbate an already tense situation.
- The delay acerbates our financial difficulties.
- Ignoring the problem will only acerbate it further.