Which term describes the action of making a situation worse?

The term that describes the action of making a situation worse is "exacerbate." This word specifically refers to the act of intensifying or aggravating a problem or undesirable situation. When something is exacerbated, it means that its severity has increased, often leading to more significant difficulties or challenges.

For example, if a person were to exacerbate a conflict, they would take actions or make statements that heighten tensions rather than resolve them. This concept is widely applicable in various contexts, from healthcare—where a treatment may exacerbate symptoms—to interpersonal relations, where an argument could become more intense.

In contrast, "mitigate" refers to making something less severe or serious, which is the opposite of exacerbating a situation. "Moderate" implies keeping something within reasonable limits and does not convey worsening. "Rebuff" means to reject or refuse something, particularly an offer or a proposal, and does not relate to the worsening of situations. Thus, the choice "exacerbate" is the most accurate term for the described action.