worse off
adjective
1
: having less money and possessions : less wealthy
He was worse off financially than he was before.
2
: in a worse position
If you quit school, you will be worse off.
Examples of worse off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The internet of propaganda is not the real world, and however much bluster there is in the daily CENTCOM declaration of how effective their strikes are, Tehran is far worse off after more than 13,000 targets have been hit.
—
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
Idaho’s students and the dedicated professionals who teach them will be worse off because of his choice.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 10 Apr. 2026
This week The New York Times asked if wokeness left us worse off.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026
His notion of the best of all worlds was a state in which no one could be made better off without making someone else worse off.
—George G. Szpiro, Big Think, 9 Apr. 2026
Not Ready for Primetime Project podcast recently concluded, and the fan community is worse off for it.
—Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Apr. 2026
Users would be worse off for it.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
If, however, pet buyers turn to unscrupulous breeders accessed through the internet, dogs and cats will be worse off.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Chicago is worse off for this senseless loss.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
Idaho’s students and the dedicated professionals who teach them will be worse off because of his choice.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 10 Apr. 2026
This week The New York Times asked if wokeness left us worse off.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026
His notion of the best of all worlds was a state in which no one could be made better off without making someone else worse off.
—George G. Szpiro, Big Think, 9 Apr. 2026
Not Ready for Primetime Project podcast recently concluded, and the fan community is worse off for it.
—Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Apr. 2026
Users would be worse off for it.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
If, however, pet buyers turn to unscrupulous breeders accessed through the internet, dogs and cats will be worse off.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Chicago is worse off for this senseless loss.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worse off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worse%20off. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
