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
Higher gas prices will likely worsen inflation in the short run, but over time weaker spending will also slow growth.
—
Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
According to Souther, Perrine began experiencing involuntary shaking in 2011 that worsened with the onset of an illness that led to professional and financial difficulties.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
And those costs are likely to rise further this spring and summer, should current market conditions not improve or worsen.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
The data show that AI’s rapid adoption in health care is worsening the mistrust that Americans already have about our health care system.
—Oni Blackstock, STAT, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for worsen
Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
According to Souther, Perrine began experiencing involuntary shaking in 2011 that worsened with the onset of an illness that led to professional and financial difficulties.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
And those costs are likely to rise further this spring and summer, should current market conditions not improve or worsen.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
The data show that AI’s rapid adoption in health care is worsening the mistrust that Americans already have about our health care system.
—Oni Blackstock, STAT, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for worsen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsen
Verb
-
If conditions continue to deteriorate, Polis could declare a drought emergency and seek federal disaster assistance.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
-
In the crashes reviewed, the system did not detect common roadway conditions that impaired camera visibility or provide alerts when camera performance had deteriorated until immediately before the crash occurred.—
Andrea Guzmán,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One person said the shooting aggravated a neurological condition.—
Christopher Spata,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The move aggravated the country's existing energy crises and triggered widespread fuel shortages.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Flores said the community continues to struggle with a range of problems, including poor air quality, high poverty rates, weak worker protections and crumbling infrastructure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
-
However, as the show begins, the family’s pristine facade is just on the verge of crumbling.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
During the next two years, Pahlavi expanded his operation and deepened his ties with Israel.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The market's losses deepened after oil prices erased an early dip and accelerated in the afternoon.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Storms descended on the states during a bout of unusually hot temps that could linger into early next week, NWS meteorologists said on social media.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Last summer, as thousands of Border Patrol agents descended on Los Angeles, McGraw was there with a camera crew to the surprise of those who knew him mostly for his daytime-TV therapeutic segments.—
Uwa Ede-Osifo,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Comparisons to the build-up to the 2008 Global Financial Crisis are now intensifying as concerns over underlying loan quality grow.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
-
As his erratic behavior intensified, so did her drug abuse.—
Pamela Colloff,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One person sustained minor injuries but declined hospitalization.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Over the next 25 years, East Asia, Europe, and Russia will all experience significant population declines.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The wild swings across asset classes were only exacerbated by denials from Iranian state media that talks had even happened.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Her tendency to sleepwalk (a side effect of taking lithium), exacerbated by stressful family situations and an equally stressful job, has already gotten her into trouble more than once.—
Agnieszka Szpila,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsen. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
