compound the effect

[ˈkɑːmpaʊnd ðə ɪˈfɛkt]
verb phrase
intensificar o efeito / agravar a situação
1. to make a problem, situation, or effect worse by adding another problem or factor to it
The lack of funding compounds the effect of poor infrastructure in the region.
A falta de financiamento intensifica o efeito da infraestrutura precária na região.
2. to increase the intensity or severity of something by combining it with other negative elements
High unemployment rates compound the effect of rising inflation on families.
As altas taxas de desemprego agravam o efeito da inflação crescente nas famílias.
This phrase is commonly used in business, academic, and policy discussions in both American English and Brazilian Portuguese contexts. It reflects a logical approach to analyzing how multiple factors interact negatively. In Brazil, the phrase 'agravar a situação' is often used in news media and official communications, while in the USA it appears frequently in economic and social commentary.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
aggravate the situationexacerbate the effectworsen the problemintensify the impactamplify the consequence
Antonyms / Antônimos
mitigate the effectreduce the impactalleviate the problemdiminish the consequence

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
intensificar o efeito / agravar a situação
most common standard usage
Rio de Janeiro
piorar a coisa / potencializar o problema
informal colloquial usage
São Paulo
agravar o cenário / intensificar o impacto
more formal business/academic context
Portugal
agravar o efeito / intensificar as consequências
standard European Portuguese usage

Related Words

compound interestcompounding factorscumulative effectsnowball effectdomino effect

Related Idioms & Phrases

add insult to injury
make matters worse
pour fuel on the fire
snowball effect
a perfect storm
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