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Added 9 October 2026

exacerbation

/ɪɡˈzæsɚˌbeɪʃən/ noun

In Latin: exacerbātiō Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about exacerbation at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Action that makes a problem or a disease (or its symptoms) worse.
the aggravation of her condition resulted from lack of care
Violent and bitter exasperation.
his foolishness was followed by an exacerbation of their quarrel

Origin

From Middle English exacerbacyoun, from Latin exacerbātiōnem, from exacerbāre (“to provoke, make harsh”). See exacerbate.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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