different between exacerbate vs flout

English

Etymology

From Latin exacerbo (“to provoke”); ex (“out of; thoroughly”) + acerbo (“to embitter, harshen or worsen”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /???zæs??be?t/, /?k?sæs-/
• (US) enPR: ?g-z?s'?r-b?t, IPA^(key): /???zæs??be?t/

Verb

exacerbate (third-person singular simple present exacerbates, present participle exacerbating, simple past and past participle exacerbated)

1. (transitive) To make worse (a problem, bad situation, negative feeling, etc.); aggravate; exasperate.

   The proposed shutdown would exacerbate unemployment problems.

   • 2013, Louise Taylor, English talent gets left behind as Premier League keeps importing (in The Guardian, 20 August 2013)[1]

     The reasons for this growing disconnect are myriad and complex but the situation is exacerbated by the reality that those English players who do smash through our game's "glass ceiling" command radically inflated transfer fees.

Derived terms

• exacerbatingly
• exacerbation

Related terms

• acerbate

Translations

See also

• exasperate

References

• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “exacerbate”, in Online Etymology Dictionary

Latin

Verb

exacerb?te

1. second-person plural present active imperative of exacerb?

English

Etymology

Perhaps from Middle English flouten (“to play the flute”); compare with Dutch fluiten.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /fla?t/
• (Canada) IPA^(key): /fl??t/
• Rhymes: -a?t

Verb

flout (third-person singular simple present flouts, present participle flouting, simple past and past participle flouted)

1. (transitive) To express contempt for (laws, rules, etc.) by word or action.
   • 2012, The Economist, Sep 29th 2012 issue, Tax alchemy: Tech's avoidance

     The manoeuvres of Microsoft and HP appear to comply with the letter of the regulations, even if they flout their spirit.

2. (transitive, archaic) To scorn.

   • Yet all ' s not worth a pin, But could not get her; Phillida flouts me. Dick had her to the Vine

   • Three gaudy standards flout the pale blue sky.

Usage notes

• Do not confuse with flaunt.

Translations

Noun

flout (plural flouts)

1. The act by which something is flouted; violation of a law.
   • 2012, John Flowerdew, Discourse in English Language Education (page 97)

     A flout is when someone deliberately and ostentatiously contravenes a maxim.

2. A mockery or insult.

Luxembourgish

Adjective

flout

1. strong/weak nominative/accusative neuter singular of flou