acerbate

• Verbe rare ou littéraire signifiant rendre acide ou amer, ou irriter, exaspérer, aggraver une situation.

An obsolete verb meaning to make sour or bitter, or to exasperate or irritate.

1. Make bitter or resentfulC2formal

   To cause someone to feel bitterness or resentment.

   Rendre amer ou plein de ressentiment

   • The unfair criticism acerbated his feelings toward the committee.
   • Her constant complaints acerbated the already tense atmosphere.
   • The betrayal acerbated his distrust of others.

   Synonymesembitterenvenomexasperatepoisonsour

   Antonymesappeaseassuageconciliatemollifypacifyplacatepropitiatesweeten

2. Make sour or bitterC2formal

   To make something physically sour or bitter in taste.

   Rendre acide ou amer

   • The addition of lemon juice acerbated the sauce.
   • The spoiled milk acerbated the flavor of the coffee.
   • Overcooking can acerbate the natural bitterness of some vegetables.

   Synonymesacetifyacidifyacidulateembittersour

   Antonymessugarsweeten