1
as in deteriorated
to become worse or of less value
the condition of the house worsened with every year of neglect
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in aggravated
to make more severe
the harsh winter only worsened the fuel shortage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of worsened
The hospital cleared him for incarceration with a Narcan prescription and instructions to return to the emergency room if symptoms worsened, the lawsuit alleged.
—
Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Courtesy of Arlit Martinez-Carrada The day after Martinez-Carrada's arrest, her son's condition worsened significantly.
—Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Past years have seen pipes freeze and residents lose water, but this year’s cold snap and heavy snow worsened the issue.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Advertisement But the song—and the stagecraft—also served to call attention to Puerto Rico’s frequent blackouts, which worsened following the private takeover of the island’s grid.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
As California’s water crisis worsened, recalling the constant swish of sprinklers throughout her childhood piqued her interest in native plants.
—Brittany Levine Beckman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
What’s particularly concerning, S&P said, is that the price decline in China’s biggest cities worsened in the fourth quarter of last year.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
After the Bondi attacks, many in the Jewish community said Albanese had not done enough to stamp out antisemitism that had worsened since Israel sought to avenge Hamas’ murderous attack.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
Given the set's reference to Puerto Rico's rich history and electrical grid issues often worsened by natural disaster, one theory posits that the 64 is actually a reference to the initial government death toll for Hurricane Maria, a controversial claim that was eventually corrected to 1,427.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Courtesy of Arlit Martinez-Carrada The day after Martinez-Carrada's arrest, her son's condition worsened significantly.
—Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Past years have seen pipes freeze and residents lose water, but this year’s cold snap and heavy snow worsened the issue.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Advertisement But the song—and the stagecraft—also served to call attention to Puerto Rico’s frequent blackouts, which worsened following the private takeover of the island’s grid.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
As California’s water crisis worsened, recalling the constant swish of sprinklers throughout her childhood piqued her interest in native plants.
—Brittany Levine Beckman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
What’s particularly concerning, S&P said, is that the price decline in China’s biggest cities worsened in the fourth quarter of last year.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
After the Bondi attacks, many in the Jewish community said Albanese had not done enough to stamp out antisemitism that had worsened since Israel sought to avenge Hamas’ murderous attack.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
Given the set's reference to Puerto Rico's rich history and electrical grid issues often worsened by natural disaster, one theory posits that the 64 is actually a reference to the initial government death toll for Hurricane Maria, a controversial claim that was eventually corrected to 1,427.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsened
Verb
-
Prosecutors argue that Colin Gray was aware that his son's mental health had deteriorated in the weeks before the shooting, but still gave the teen the assault-style weapon as a Christmas gift and purchased a laser sight, tactical vest, and ammunition for him.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
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But the brands’ sales have deteriorated further since the split was announced, making a spinoff less appealing to investors.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The severity of the weather was aggravated by heat in Chicago, where highs were reaching over 90 degrees.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The consequences of Russian strikes are aggravated in many urban areas by reliance on centralized heating systems, a legacy of the Soviet era.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Striking out on his own Kaszas was born in Budapest in May 1987, two years to the week before the Iron Curtain crumbled and Hungary’s Communist regime ceased to exist.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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Over the past year, hiring in the United States has slowed to a crawl, people’s feelings about the economy have crumbled and inflation has remained stubbornly elevated.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But while the model shifted toward authenticity, the pressure intensified.—
Mina Haque,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Since late January, the harsh cold has has not only intensified demand for home heating oil but also natural gas and electricity.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Crews descended the hillside and found a person inside the vehicle, who was pronounced dead at the scene.—
Tarek Fattal,
Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
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On his way, two more drones descended and exploded.—
Michael Holtz,
New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But throughout this first season, the show’s writers have added to and enriched Martin’s material in ways that have deepened the characters and the meaning.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
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China also is a critical enabler of Russia’s war on Ukraine, and has reportedly deepened its cooperation with Moscow, particularly for dual-use components and critical minerals used in Russian drone production.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Trump has also, thus far, declined meeting Pahlavi, who has lived in Washington since his family’s exile in 1979.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, pathways responsible for synthesizing certain B vitamins declined, suggesting the community was reallocating its biochemical resources rather than simply increasing activity across the board.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Wading conditions were excellent, but ultra-low water also complicated the fishing.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
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People who have filed claims complain that the review process has been complicated, frustrating and painstakingly slow and that cases are closed with no notice and no money awarded for their losses.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsened. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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