acerbates - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

acerbates

|a-cer-bates|

🇺🇸

/əˈsɜrˌbeɪts/

🇬🇧

/əˈsɜːˌbeɪts/

(acerbate)

to worsen

Base Form	3rd Person Sing.	Past	Past Participle	Present Participle
acerbate	acerbates	acerbated	acerbated	acerbating

Etymology

Etymology Information

'acerbate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'acerbatus,' where 'acerbus' meant 'bitter or harsh.'

Historical Evolution

'acerbatus' transformed into the English word 'acerbate' through Middle English.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to make bitter or harsh,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to make worse or more severe.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Verb 1

to make a situation or condition worse or more severe.

The manager's harsh words only served to acerbate the tension in the office.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

Last updated: 2025/04/17 15:36