WORSEN Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

worsen

verb

ˈwər-sᵊn

Definition of worsen

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

as in to aggravate

to make more severe the harsh winter only worsened the fuel shortage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Authorities in Indonesia, meanwhile, are racing to control wildfires that have dramatically worsened air-quality levels even before fire season typically peaks. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026 As his condition worsened, his mother brought him to his grandparents’ house on a busy country road. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026 This will continue to be monitored, and a Dense Fog Advisory may be needed if conditions worsen. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026 The archipelago has faced a drought that has led to severe water shortages in many cities, with government and agency incompetence (or worse, corruption) accused of worsening an already fraught crisis. — Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for worsen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsen

Verb

The Associated Press OSLO, Norway -- Crown Prince Haakon visited his father King Harald of Norway on Monday at the hospital, after the king's health deteriorated over the weekend, public broadcaster NRK reported.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Now held with dozens of others in a former luxury hotel turned makeshift prison, the group describe chains, deteriorating conditions, scarce medical care and guards accused of violence.

— Mark Banchereau, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of deteriorate

Verb

For decades, Mamdani’s predecessors have found the only choice more politically unpalatable than letting the whole three-layer cake of infrastructure crumble away is trying to stop it from crumbling.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 24 Aug. 2026
The crumbling structure carries roughly 130,000 vehicles daily — of which some 13,000 are trucks — and has been in serious need of repair since the de Blasio administration.

— Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of crumble

Verb

Since seizing power, Tiani’s government has shifted away from Western partners, deepened ties with Russia and broken with the regional ECOWAS bloc, joining Mali and Burkina Faso to form the breakaway AES bloc.

— Reuters, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
My 50s has just continued to be about trying to figure out my place in the world and deepening my friendships with my friends, my family.

— Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of deepen

Verb

After descending in a metal cage elevator, Riff Raff removes his cape, revealing Frank-N-Furter in a corset, fishnets and pearls.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Video captured by security cameras perched on the mountainside show the horrifying moment when the wall of mud descended on the Gyirong Port facility, swallowing the six-story building whole as dozens of people run for their lives.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of descend

Verb

Concerns intensified earlier this month when a 30-year Treasury auction drew weaker demand than the prior month, despite elevated yields.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Netanyahu and Erdogan have a long-running public feud, which intensified dramatically during the wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of intensify

Verb

However, entering June, crude prices pulled back significantly, while retail gasoline prices declined at a markedly slower pace.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
At home several center-right parties initially declined to join his coalition, illustrating the challenge of uniting the broader Brazilian right behind his candidacy.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of decline

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worse

worsen

worsened

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“Worsen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsen. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of worsen

verb

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