exacerbate
Definitions
To make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse.
To aggravate or increase the severity of a disease or condition.
Examples
The loud music only served to exacerbate his splitting headache.
Ignoring the problem will likely exacerbate the situation rather than resolve it.
Rising temperatures continue to exacerbate the melting of the polar ice caps.
Synonyms
aggravate worsen intensify compound heighten inflame exasperate