1. making something worse or more severe; aggravating
Usage: present participle of acerbate

Examples

• The hot weather was acerbating her headache.
• His rude comments were acerbating an already tense situation.
• The medication seemed to be acerbating her symptoms rather than helping.
• The delay was acerbating the passengers’ frustration.
• Poor communication was acerbating the conflict between the departments.
• The drought was acerbating the region’s water shortage problems.