The difference between Aggravate and Exacerbate
When used as verbs, aggravate means to make worse, or more severe, whereas exacerbate means to make worse (a problem, bad situation, negative feeling, etc.).
check bellow for the other definitions of Aggravate and Exacerbate
-
Aggravate as a verb:
To make worse, or more severe; to render less tolerable or less excusable; to make more offensive; to enhance; to intensify.
-
Aggravate as a verb:
To give coloring to in description; to exaggerate.
Examples:
"He aggravated the story."
-
Aggravate as a verb:
To exasperate; to provoke; to irritate.
-
Exacerbate as a verb (transitive):
To make worse (a problem, bad situation, negative feeling, etc.); aggravate.
Examples:
"The proposed shutdown would exacerbate unemployment problems."