worse

adjective

Definition of worsenext
as in worst

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of worse While the future is looking better, right now things are still getting worse. — WIRED, 24 Jan. 2023 Law enforcement sources also believe Tran was having unspecified emotional problems that had been getting worse in the weeks before the shooting. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2023 And new figures show that rather than improving, the problem has been getting worse. — Jon Marcus, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Jan. 2023 Essentially those factors compound the climate change factors which are also getting worse. — Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for worse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worse
  1. worst
  2. lesser
  3. inferior
  4. normal
Adjective
  • But all of that would’ve been forgiven if Golden State’s offense didn’t cool down at the worst possible time.
    — C.J. Holmes, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Feb. 2023
  • Continue below to see the top 10 best and worst cities for football fans in 2023.
    — Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 8 Feb. 2023
Definition of worst
Adjective
  • Even lesser-scale incidents like the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal and the Volkswagen emissions scandal erode trust in the institutions that help make our society possible and push it forward.
    — Lindsey Witmer Collins, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Toronto’s Fred VanVleet appears to be the top target, but Miami’s Kyle Lowry, Utah’s Mike Conley and, perhaps to a lesser extent, Charlotte’s Terry Rozier have been linked to the team at various points.
    — Staff Writer Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2023
Definition of lesser
Adjective
  • Across state and federal lands, accommodations designated for Black Americans were routinely and nakedly inferior, relegated to remote, underdeveloped parcels or mosquito-prone swamplands.
    — Kimmie Gordon, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
  • But those three road losses were either in the postseason to a top-two team, at Oregon or the inexplicable 2024 loss to a far inferior Michigan team in The Game.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of inferior
Adjective
  • Some artists who do Bowl shows with the LA Phil or its sister symphony, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, run through something close to their normal set and require whoever is assigned to do the orchestrations to follow suit.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
  • In the first two years alone, over 600 workers exceeded the normal safety limit of 50 mSv per year.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of normal

Browse Nearby Words

worrywarts
worse
worsen
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Worse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worse. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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