verb

make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse.

the exorbitant cost of land in urban areas only exacerbated the problem

aggravate,make worse,worsen,inflame,compound,intensify,increase,heighten,magnify,add to,amplify,augment,make matters worse,compound the problem,add fuel to the fire/flames,fan the flames,rub salt in the wounds,add insult to injury