The term "aggravate" refers to making a situation worse or more severe. It is often used in contexts such as health, where a minor illness can be aggravated by poor lifestyle choices or lack of treatment. For example, asthma can be aggravated by exposure to allergens or pollution. "Exacerbate" is a synonym for aggravate and is commonly used in similar contexts. It emphasizes the intensification of a problem, such as economic issues being exacerbated by poor policy decisions. Both terms highlight the idea of worsening conditions rather than improving them.