Basic Details
Word: Exacerbate
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To make a problem, situation, or feeling worse or more intense.
Synonyms: Aggravate, Intensify, Worsen
Antonyms: Alleviate, Improve, Mitigate
Idioms and Phrases
- Out of the frying pan and into the fire: This means moving from a bad situation to an even worse one. Example: "When he changed jobs, he found himself out of the frying pan and into the fire with his new boss."
- Make matters worse: This means to worsen a situation that is already bad. Example: "Instead of asking for help, she made matters worse by arguing with her friend."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Ignoring the leaking pipes in the house will only exacerbate the damage over time.
Example 2: His harsh words in the meeting exacerbated the conflict between the team members.
Example 3: Some medications can exacerbate symptoms rather than help them.
Fun Fact
The word "exacerbate" comes from the Latin word "exacerbatus," which means to irritate or make harsh. It first appeared in English in the late 16th century.
Famous Quote
"There is no use in worrying about the past. It only serves to exacerbate the present." Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "exacerbate" mean?
a) To improve a situation
b) To make a situation worse
c) To solve a problem
d) To create a plan
Answer: b) To make a situation worse
2. Which of these is a synonym of "exacerbate"?
a) Mitigate
b) Alleviate
c) Aggravate
d) Relieve
Answer: c) Aggravate
3. What is an antonym of "exacerbate"?
a) Intensify
b) Improve
c) Worsen
d) Aggravate
Answer: b) Improve
4. Which sentence uses "exacerbate" correctly?
a) She exacerbated the situation by helping everyone.
b) His apology exacerbated the misunderstandings further.
c) They worked together to exacerbate the project.
d) The weather is expected to exacerbate helping us.
Answer: b) His apology exacerbated the misunderstandings further.
5. Which idiom means to make a situation worse?
a) Out of the frying pan and into the fire
b) As easy as pie
c) The best of both worlds
d) Break a leg
Answer: a) Out of the frying pan and into the fire
