The difference between Exacerbate and Worsen

When used as verbs, exacerbate means to make worse (a problem, bad situation, negative feeling, etc.), whereas worsen means to make worse.


check bellow for the other definitions of Exacerbate and Worsen

  1. Exacerbate as a verb (transitive):

    To make worse (a problem, bad situation, negative feeling, etc.); aggravate.

    Examples:

    "The proposed shutdown would exacerbate unemployment problems."

  1. Worsen as a verb (transitive):

    To make worse; to impair.

    Examples:

    "The global warming has worsened the weather."

  2. Worsen as a verb (intransitive):

    To become worse; to get worse.

    Examples:

    "The weather has worsened."

  3. Worsen as a verb (transitive, obsolete):

    To get the better of; to worst.