1
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
the condition of the house worsened with every year of neglect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 worsen
But without decisive policy changes, Shaughnessy fears the outlook will continue to worsen.
—
Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 5 Aug. 2025
Critics fear the measure will worsen the state’s’ reputation as a home to jackpot jury verdicts.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Based on current modeling, the amount of surface smoke and air quality around Milwaukee was expected to worsen later in the day, and the haze likely will linger into next week, Kuroski said.
—Kylie Volavongsa, jsonline.com, 3 Aug. 2025
Moreover, rising temperatures can worsen ground-level ozone pollution, potentially compounding existing health risks.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for worsen
Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 5 Aug. 2025
Critics fear the measure will worsen the state’s’ reputation as a home to jackpot jury verdicts.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Based on current modeling, the amount of surface smoke and air quality around Milwaukee was expected to worsen later in the day, and the haze likely will linger into next week, Kuroski said.
—Kylie Volavongsa, jsonline.com, 3 Aug. 2025
Moreover, rising temperatures can worsen ground-level ozone pollution, potentially compounding existing health risks.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for worsen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsen
Verb
-
But this week, the situation in Donetsk has rapidly deteriorated, with Russian forces making important advances to the north east of Dobropilia, altering control of the area Witkoff has been discussing with the Kremlin.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
-
But after the Sriracha-maker callously withheld payments from Underwood, the relationship deteriorated and litigation followed.—
Kate Vitasek,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Ball faces charges of indecent assault, aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors, indecent exposure and unlawful contact with a minor, police said.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Following a two-day trial in Leavenworth County District Court, the jury found Liberti N. Figueroa guilty on Tuesday of two counts of aggravated endangering a child.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Ignoring that second part, Irakli contacts Lisa’s editor and discovers that her as-yet-unfinished assignment is a photo essay on the crumbling football pitches of rural Georgia.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Also getting a major glow-up in the remaining four episodes is a large, crumbling Victorian in the northern part of Detroit's Corktown neighborhood.—
Julie Hinds,
Freep.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Laureano has deepened his hitting groove so far with his team.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Aug. 2025
-
In short, a healthy conflict serves as a reminder that the relationship can survive tough moments and even deepen because of them.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
First responders descended on the scene as a plume of smoke shrouded the five-story furnace building on Bells Lane.—
Ruby Grisin,
The Courier-Journal,
19 Aug. 2025
-
In the Petworth neighborhood, roughly 20 officers from the FBI, Homeland Security, Park Police and U.S. Marshals descended on an apartment building on Tuesday morning.—
Matt Brown,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
While Iran frames its warnings as a measure to deter future attacks, the U.S. and its allies view Iran's intensifying rhetoric as likely to heighten regional tensions.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
-
This stuff is a powerful oxidizer that, while not flammable by itself, will accelerate and intensify combustion of rubber balloons, clothing, hair, skin, eye tissue and other things that burn when used around open flames such as bongs, joints, and cigarettes.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Attorney General’s Office declined to comment on the complaint, which was filed in March 2025.—
Mary Jo Pitzl,
AZCentral.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
The Current declined to comment and referred all requests to the NWSL.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Results during the Premier League Summer Series in the U.S., where Everton lost 3-0 against Bournemouth and 2-1 to West Ham, before a 2-2 draw with Manchester United in their final game, exacerbated those concerns.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Navigating the health care system can be stressful, and in turn, can exacerbate symptoms.—
Alexis Kayser,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Worsen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsen. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share