Exasperate vs Exacerbate
There can be a tendency to confuse these two words and incorrectly swap them out, as they sound similar. Read on to learn how to properly use them in speaking or writing.
Exasperate
'Exasperate' is a verb that means 'to irritate, provoke, frustrate, or annoy intensely.' Use it to describe the feeling of becoming flustered and losing patience.
examples:
No one gets more exasperated than the office manager when supplies run low and haven't been reordered.
Exacerbate
The verb 'exacerbate' means 'to make a situation even worse in some way.' Use it to illustrate that a person, behavior, or action is detrimental or causing impairment.
examples:
Conclusion
As you can see, the subtle differences can make a big difference between words that are one step more complicated than homonyms. Practice saying statements that are emblematic of the idea you want to convey. A good sentence to keep the meaning of these words in focus is:
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