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
And the Leafs are worse off because of it.
—
Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Public Policy Institute of California polls show more than one-third of residents have thought about leaving because of the high cost of living and that more than 70% think that the children of present residents will be worse off financially than their parents.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
In the long run, this may actually make parents even worse off because those sectors have have no obligation at all to serve students with special needs.
—Joshua Cowen, The Conversation, 17 Oct. 2025
Many were even worse off than the one in Pecos.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025
Some are worse off than others, like the 0-6 New York Jets, but everyone is still technically alive.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Allen said the world is worse off without Keaton's presence.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2025
This generation could be worse off.
—Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, scholars have found countries governed by populists are worse off.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
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Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Public Policy Institute of California polls show more than one-third of residents have thought about leaving because of the high cost of living and that more than 70% think that the children of present residents will be worse off financially than their parents.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
In the long run, this may actually make parents even worse off because those sectors have have no obligation at all to serve students with special needs.
—Joshua Cowen, The Conversation, 17 Oct. 2025
Many were even worse off than the one in Pecos.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025
Some are worse off than others, like the 0-6 New York Jets, but everyone is still technically alive.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Allen said the world is worse off without Keaton's presence.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2025
This generation could be worse off.
—Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, scholars have found countries governed by populists are worse off.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Worse off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worse%20off. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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