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
Rain further worsened conditions, intensifying the crush.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … STREETS OVERTAKEN — Waterfront overrun by massive crowd as viral takeover pattern worsens.
—FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
The open-air drug use, dealing and related crime that has long plagued Mass and Cass and surrounding neighborhoods has worsened in the past several summers, officials have said, leading to a shift in the city’s response to the problem.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Some economists believe China has so far been relatively well-positioned in shielding itself from the impacts from the Iran war, which has sent fuel prices surging and is threatening worsening global inflation.
—Chan Ho-Him, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for worsen
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … STREETS OVERTAKEN — Waterfront overrun by massive crowd as viral takeover pattern worsens.
—FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
The open-air drug use, dealing and related crime that has long plagued Mass and Cass and surrounding neighborhoods has worsened in the past several summers, officials have said, leading to a shift in the city’s response to the problem.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Some economists believe China has so far been relatively well-positioned in shielding itself from the impacts from the Iran war, which has sent fuel prices surging and is threatening worsening global inflation.
—Chan Ho-Him, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for worsen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsen
Verb
-
The article notes that enforcement of existing protections has deteriorated considerably since their adoption, suggesting that the challenge extends beyond creating rules to ensuring sustained institutional commitment to their implementation and oversight.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Originally staged at Avignon in 2025, the play follows a father and daughter whose bond is tested across the vastness of space as one of them starts a new life on Mars while Earth deteriorates.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Flood watches are in effect for northern parts of Wisconsin and Michigan where multiple rounds of rainfall this week could aggravate ongoing river flooding and send more rivers surging.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
-
An All-Star last season, Stowers has missed the first two-plus weeks of the season with a hamstring injury that was sustained early in spring training and was re-aggravated a week before the regular season.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Other signs warned of danger from crumbling masonry overhead, though there was none of the scaffolding that might accompany such notices.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The Mavericks have been out of the playoff race for weeks in a season that started with high expectations but crumbled with Anthony Davis' continuing injury issues and eventual trade to Washington.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Haiti, the most impoverished country in the Western Hemisphere, has been hit the hardest by rising oil prices that experts warn will deepen a spiraling humanitarian crisis.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The appointment comes as Rapha continues to expand its global community of riders and Rapha Cycling Club (RCC) members and deepen its presence in competitive cycling.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
A day that had started with the promise of a procession towards another green jacket had descended into a scenic – and unwelcome – navigation of the Augusta National course.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2026
-
As the Transit officers descended down to the 4/5/6 platform, one of Griffin’s victims came staggering up the stairs, seeking medial attention, Tisch said.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Spot gold, which is currently trading at around $4,838 per ounce, has fallen about 10% from its late-January peak, slipping into correction territory even as geopolitical risks intensify.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Washington has intensified its crackdown on the Cartel del Noreste - heir to the former Zetas - which has been accused of trafficking weapons, drugs and people, and is characterized by its violent practices and extortion.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After reviewing the case, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office and the Draper City Prosecutor have declined to file charges against Paul, citing insufficient evidence to prove allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The California Supreme Court on Wednesday, April 15, declined to hear Eastman’s appeal of a lower court ruling recommending his disbarment, essentially certifying that recommendation.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lufthansa pilots conduct two-day work stoppage With fuel prices making a dent in overall air capacity, the problem is exacerbated by a pilots’ strike at Lufthansa that began Monday morning and will continue through Tuesday night.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
For low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, higher import bills for fuel, fertilizer, and food risk exacerbating already record-high debt levels, squeezing the fiscal space necessary to invest in climate action and resilience to future shocks.—
Chloé Farand,
semafor.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsen. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
