This is the 17891st most frequent Russian word.
усугубил
"Усугубил" means "exacerbated" or "made worse."
The word 'усугубил' here means 'worsened' and is used to describe increasing the negativity of an already tense situation.
Он усугубил ситуацию, отказавшись объяснить свои действия.
He worsened the situation by refusing to explain his actions.
'Усугубили' in this context suggests that her actions unintentionally made the situation more severe or tense.
Её извинения лишь усугубили конфронтацию.
Her apologies only intensified the confrontation.
Here, 'усугубило' indicates that the inappropriate actions made the existing problem worse.