Which term describes the action of making a situation worse?

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Study for the SAT Vocabulary 2025 Test. Master vocabulary with flashcards and questions, each with detailed explanations. Get ready for your exam!

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.