transitive verb exacerbated -·bat′ed, exacerbating -·bat′·ing

1. to make more intense or sharp; aggravate (disease, pain, annoyance, etc.)
2. to exasperate; annoy; irritate; embitter

Etymology: < L exacerbatus, pp. of exacerbare, to exasperate, make angry < ex-, intens. + acerbus, bitter: see acerbity