exacerbate (verb) - to increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of; to make worse [ig-zas-er-beyt]
BREAKDOWN: EX- (out) + ACERB- (sharp) + -ATE (make)
COMMONLY CONFUSED: exasperate means to annoy, irritate, or anger
See also: acrimonious, acerbic, acuity
“The final purpose of art is to intensify, even, if necessary, to exacerbate the moral consciousness of people.” —Norman Mailer
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