We explain what exacerbating means, its meanings when referring to a person and in other contexts. Also, the origin of the term and its synonyms.
What is exacerbate?
With the verb exacerbate we commonly refer to the action of causing anger, annoyance, or irritation in another person (which then proceeds to exacerbate). However, the verb also has the sense of “increase”, “exaggerate” or “intensify” in other contexts: you can exacerbate an emotion (increase its intensity), a disease (increase its symptoms) or a fight (intensify its violence). ).
The word exacerbate comes from Latin I will exacerbatewith the same meaning, composed of the voices ex- (“outwards”) and acerbus (“sour” or “bitter”). Seen this way, when something is exacerbated, we imagine it as an acrimony that comes from within, that is, as something unpleasant that increases its presence.
In summary, with this verb we usually indicate that something has increased its ordinary levels, usually when it happens in an unpleasant waydangerous or fierce. When this refers to a person's emotional state, we commonly refer to the appearance of anger, or at least annoyance and irritability (“Daniela exacerbate certain political positions.
On the other hand, an exacerbated passion is one that escapes control (“The absence did nothing but exacerbate this love”), just as exacerbated anger can turn into rage or lead to physical violence.
Some possible synonyms of this term are: irritate, annoy, intensify, enliven or exaggerate.
Continue with: Susceptible
References
- “Exacerbar” in the Language Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy.
- “Radicación de Exacerbar” in the Online Spanish Etymological Dictionary.
- “Exacerbar” in Wiktionary.
