Word of the Week #3

This is the third, right? Yes, it is. Nope. I checked again. It's actually the 4th.

ex·ac·er·bate

   
[ig-zas-er-beyt, ek-sas-]
–verb (used with object), -bat·ed, -bat·ing

1. to increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of (disease,ill feeling, etc.); aggravate.
2. to embitter the feelings of (a person); irritate; exasperate

Origin
1650–60;  < L exacerbātus  (ptp. of exacerbāre  to exasperate,provoke), equiv. to ex- ex-¹  + acerbātus acerbate

Related Forms-

ex·ac·er·bat·ing·ly, adverb

ex·ac·er·ba·tion, noun

un·ex·ac·er·bat·ed, adjective

un·ex·ac·er·bat·ing, adjective

Synonyms

 intensify, inflame, worsen

Antonyms

relieve, soothe, alleviate

Courtesy of dictionary.com