worsen

verb

wors·​en ˈwər-sᵊn 

worsened; worsening

ˈwərs-niŋ, 

ˈwər-sᵊn-iŋ 

transitive verb

: to make worse

intransitive verb

: to become worse

the weather began to worsen

Synonyms of worsen

• deteriorate
• crumble
• descend
• decline

Examples of worsen in a Sentence

Spending more money is only going to worsen the problem.

the condition of the house worsened with every year of neglect

Recent Examples on the Web

According to a recent survey published by Deloitte, consumer sentiment remains shaky, with 57% of Americans expecting the economy to worsen in the next six months — the highest figure the company has reported since 2020. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026

And this current El Niño is especially a wildcard given the simultaneous influence of global warming due to climate pollution, which could worsen some of El Niño’s impacts. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Changes that can diminish and dismantle Head Start during a worsening national childcare crisis are unconscionable and will harm hundreds and thousands of children and families. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026

In 2019, Nichol Cano, an otherwise healthy mother of three in Fresno, California, began experiencing worsening headaches. — Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for worsen

• person
• businessperson
• chairperson
• layperson
• salesperson

Kids Definition

worsen

verb

wors·​en ˈwərs-ᵊn 

worsened; worsening ˈwərs-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to make or become worse

the weather worsened