Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 exacerbating /(ĕgz*ăs"ẽr*bā`tĭng)/ · ex·ac·er·ba·ting · IPA /ɪɡzˈæsərbˌeɪtɪŋ/ 01 adj. Making worse. 1. Making worse. Syn. aggravating, exasperating.