ACERBATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does acerbate mean? 

• ACERBATE (verb)
  The verb ACERBATE has 2 senses:

1. cause to be bitter or resentful

2. make sour or bitter

  Familiarity information: ACERBATE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ACERBATE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they acerbate    ... he / she / it acerbates   
Past simple: acerbated   
Past participle: acerbated   
-ing form: acerbating   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Cause to be bitter or resentful

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Synonyms:

acerbate; embitter; envenom

Context example:

These injustices embittered her even more

Cause:

resent (feel bitter or indignant about)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s somebody

Derivation:

acerbity (a rough and bitter manner)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make sour or bitter

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "acerbate" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Derivation:

acerbity (a sharp sour taste)

acerbity (a sharp bitterness)