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

Only a little more than half the websites had a question about eating disorders — which GLP-1 drugs can induce or worsen — on their intake questionnaires, the researchers found. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

Avoid foods and drinks that may worsen reflux, including alcohol, caffeine, chocolate and mint. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Eastern Congo has been embroiled in conflict for decades, and fighting along the Ugandan and Rwandan borders has worsened in the last few years. — Stephanie Psaki, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026

This comes amid worsening finances for the company, co-owned by Boeing and Lockheed, which has been seeking to raise additional funding. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 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