exacerbate

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?

Norway's Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg congratulated Liu, ignoring the possibility of exacerbating an already volatile situation with China over Lui's nomination and subsequent triumph.

exacerbate = aggravate, deepen, strengthen, reinforce or embitter, aggravate, irritate, provoke

The feverish symptoms disappear or remit soon to recur or exacerbate.

exacerbate = escalate, intensify, deepen

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V

[riquecohen]

I believe that you are on target here with the exception of strengthen and possibly deepen.
I would also add worsen.