In literature, "acerbate" is employed to convey the act of intensifying emotional tension or hostility in interpersonal relationships. In [1], the word is used to illustrate how restraint is exercised, as a character deliberately avoids provoking her husband despite her triumph. Similarly, in [2] it underscores a character’s conscious decision to refrain from stoking animosity toward an adversary, highlighting her internal conflict and gentle nature. These instances show that "acerbate" enriches narrative tension by emphasizing the deliberate choice to either engage or avoid exacerbation in delicate situations.