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 Kooij says women with ADHD typically have had concentration and memory issues throughout life that worsen during perimenopause. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 7 July 2026 Korpela said the shortage of marina slips has worsened in recent years as more people have purchased boats without a corresponding increase in dockage. — Miami Herald, 6 July 2026 The country’s power crisis worsened this year after the US forced Cuba’s main suppliers to stop oil shipments. — Michael Rios, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 If symptoms persist or worsen seek immediate medical attention. — Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for worsen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsen

Verb

They can also be used for de-aging characters, creating performances in different languages, or preserving the voice or likeness of an actor whose health is deteriorating, as was the case with CAA client Eric Dane.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 6 July 2026
Though concrete is a durable surface, concrete driveway repair is needed when the surface deteriorates and develops cracks over the years.

— Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026

Definition of deteriorate

Verb

Throughout the album, mary in the junkyard shift constantly, moving from crumbling atmospheric experiments to cloudy Pacific Northwest indie rock to the kind of straightforward classical guitar poems of Leonard Cohen’s early albums.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 7 July 2026
An islandwide blackout plunged Cuba’s nearly 10 million residents into darkness Monday, exposing a crumbling power grid and dwindling fuel reserves as officials raced to restore electricity.

— Milexsy Durán, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of crumble

Verb

Recent allegations of irregularities in government recruitment exams have only deepened frustrations among some young Indians.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
South Korean officials and experts say the vessel was likely built with Russian assistance amid deepening military ties between the countries, but some analysts have questioned how effective the vessel would be in active service.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026

Definition of deepen

Verb

But last weekend’s mayhem, in which thousands descended on the community and more than 400 ended up under arrest, has hit Newport Beach differently, spurring calls for the city leaders to take decisive action.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Barely a month ago, there was plenty of fretting that FIFA had grossly overestimated the crowds that would descend on the tournament’s host cities and stadiums.

— Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 9 July 2026

Definition of descend

Verb

Lane closures remained in effect, snarling traffic for several miles as rush hour intensified.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Brown was the subject of rampant trade rumors in recent weeks, with those intensifying after the Celtics’ attempt to flip him for Giannis Antetokounmpo failed.

— Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 6 July 2026

Definition of intensify

Verb

Bogdanos declined the cash, which is instead being donated to nonprofits of his choosing.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2026
Even as remote work has declined from its pandemic highs, the data shows nearly 22% of workers still worked at least partly from home in 2025, only 1 percentage point less than the number who partly worked from home during the year prior.

— Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 9 July 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

The heat wave comes as scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 3 July 2026
The budget shortfall has been exacerbated by a decline in births and a reduction of immigration, resulting in fewer taxpayers at the same time that many Baby Boomers have begun receiving benefits.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of exacerbate

Browse Nearby Words

worse

worsen

worsened

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Worsen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsen. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of worsen

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on worsen

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

fulcrum

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes