EXACERBATE

[ex.ac.er.bate] vt -bat.ed ; -bat.ing [L exacerbatus, pp. of exacerbare, fr. ex- + acerbus harsh, bitter, fr. acer sharp--more at edge] (1660): to make more violent, bitter, or severe "the proposed shutdown ... would ~ unemployment problems --Science" -- ex.ac.er.ba.tion n