Exacerbate
To make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse.
✓ Synonyms
✗ Antonyms
About "Exacerbate"
Exacerbate is a vocabulary word commonly tested on the SAT Reading and Writing sections. The word means "To make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse." Understanding this term and being able to recognize it in context is essential for achieving a high score on the verbal portions of the Digital SAT.
Synonyms Explained
Words that share similar meanings with Exacerbate include Aggravate, compound, inflame, intensify. On the SAT, you may be asked to identify which word best replaces Exacerbate in a given sentence. Knowing these synonyms will help you quickly recognize the correct answer, especially in Words in Context questions.
Antonyms and Contrast
The opposite of Exacerbate includes words like Ameliorate and alleviate and mitigate. Understanding antonyms is crucial for questions that test your ability to identify contrasting ideas in passages. When you see transition words like "however" or "nevertheless," look for these contrasting meanings.
SAT Test Strategy
When encountering Exacerbate on the SAT, pay attention to context clues in the surrounding sentences. The test often provides hints through parallel structure, examples, or explanatory phrases. Practice identifying this word in different contexts to build your recognition speed and accuracy. This word is classified at the beginner level, making it a foundational term for SAT preparation.