Exacerbate (verb)

1. Make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse.
2. Increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of (a feeling, disease, or problem).
3. Aggravate a situation.

Origin:

Early 17th century: from latin exacerbare, from ex- "thoroughly" + acerbus "bitter, harsh".

Examples:

1. The drought exacerbated the already dire water shortage.
2. The economic crisis exacerbated the already high unemployment rate.
3. His careless remark exacerbated the already tense situation.
4. His rudeness exacerbated the conflict between them.
5. The cold weather exacerbated her arthritis.