Which option best defines exacerbate?

• A. To mitigate
• B. To relax
• C. To moderate
• D. To aggravate

Answer: (D)

Exacerbate means to make a problem or condition worse or more severe. It’s used when something that’s already not good becomes even more difficult or intense because of a factor or action. For example, cold weather can exacerbate respiratory symptoms, or ignoring a small leak can exacerbate water damage.

In contrast, the other options align with reducing or easing something: mitigating makes it less severe, relaxing eases tension, and moderating controls or reduces intensity. So the best fit is the sense of worsening or intensifying rather than decreasing.