What does it mean to "exacerbate" a problem?

To "exacerbate" a problem means to make it worse or more severe. This term is often used in contexts where a situation deteriorates or intensifies due to additional actions or factors. For instance, if poor weather conditions exacerbate traffic delays, it indicates that the weather is contributing negatively to an already existing problem of delays. The root of the word comes from the Latin "exacerbatus," which means to sharpen or irritate, further reinforcing the idea that exacerbation leads to an intensification of difficulties or issues. Therefore, in the context of the question, the correct answer accurately reflects the meaning of the term.