exacerbate crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! Struggling with the "exacerbate" crossword clue? You've come to the right place. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of possible answers, sorted by letter count, along with helpful explanations to get you unstuck.
Solutions for "exacerbate crossword clue" by Letter Count
6 Letters
WORSEN: To make something bad or undesirable worse.
7 Letters
INFLAME: To provoke or intensify (strong feelings, especially anger or excitement) in someone.
AMPLIFY: To make something more intense, greater, or more impressive.
8 Letters
HEIGHTEN: To make or become more intense, severe, or pronounced.
COMPOUND: To make (something bad) worse; intensify the negative aspects of.
9 Letters
AGGRAVATE: To make a problem, injury, or offense worse or more serious.
INTENSIFY: To become or make more intense or forceful.
More About "exacerbate crossword clue"
"Exacerbate" is a powerful verb meaning to make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse. In crosswords, clues for "exacerbate" often require you to think of synonyms that convey an increase in severity or intensity. Common contexts include health issues (e.g., "exacerbate an illness"), conflicts ("exacerbate tensions"), or emotional states ("exacerbate anger"). Recognizing these contexts can help narrow down potential answers.
Crossword setters love words like "exacerbate" because they have several excellent one-word synonyms of varying lengths, offering flexibility in puzzle design. Look out for clues that use phrases like "make worse," "aggravate," "intensify," or "heighten," as these are strong indicators that "exacerbate" or one of its close relatives is the intended answer. Always consider the number of letters provided by the puzzle grid to pinpoint the exact solution.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Think Synonyms and Antonyms: Many crossword clues, especially for verbs like "exacerbate," rely on synonyms. If the clue implies the opposite (e.g., "alleviate"), think of antonyms of "exacerbate."
- Check Word Length: Always cross-reference your potential answer with the number of squares in the grid. This is the most crucial step in confirming your solution.
- Consider the Nuance: While many words mean "make worse," some have slightly different nuances. "Inflame" might imply stirring up emotions, whereas "worsen" is more general. The clue's wording might hint at this nuance.
- Look for Common Crossings: If you're stuck, fill in any crossing letters from other solved clues. These can provide vital clues to the unknown word.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'exacerbate' mean in a crossword context?
In crosswords, 'exacerbate' typically means to make a bad situation, problem, or feeling worse. Clues often seek synonyms like 'worsen,' 'aggravate,' or 'intensify.' It's about increasing severity or intensity.
Are there common prefixes or suffixes for 'exacerbate' related answers?
While 'exacerbate' itself doesn't have common crossword prefixes/suffixes for its answers, looking for synonyms often involves words like 'in-' (as in 'inflame') or 'ag-' (as in 'aggravate'). Contextual clues might hint at words ending in '-en' (like 'worsen', 'heighten').
How do I find the correct word length for 'exacerbate' answers?
The correct word length is usually indicated in the crossword puzzle itself (e.g., 'exacerbate (6)'). On our page, answers are grouped by their exact letter count, making it easy to match the solution to your puzzle's grid.