Acerbate vs. Exacerbate: What's the Difference?

To vex or annoy.

To increase the severity, violence, or bitterness of; aggravate

(rare) Embittered; having a sour disposition or nature.

(transitive) To make worse (a problem, bad situation, negative feeling, etc.); aggravate.

(transitive) To exasperate; to irritate.

To render more violent or bitter; to irritate; to exasperate; to imbitter, as passions or disease.

(transitive) To make bitter or sour.

Make worse;

To sour; to imbitter; to irritate.

Exasperate or irritate

Cause to be bitter or resentful;

Make sour or bitter