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
Relevance
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
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 worsened
Those engineering decisions worsened Katrina’s destruction.
—
Melina Walling, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Kaley said her use of the platforms worsened her depression and suicidal thoughts.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 18 Feb. 2026
Conditions worsened through the day on Tuesday, and evacuation shelters were set up in Woodward and Mooreland, with food provided by the American Red Cross.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 18 Feb. 2026
The dynamic has only worsened in recent months.
—NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026
The disruption worsened already-existing shortages of anesthesia and pain medications, a crisis that rippled through operating rooms, oncology units, and emergency departments.
—Parker Crutchfield, STAT, 17 Feb. 2026
Recently, the crisis has worsened to include other militants from the neighboring Sahel region, including the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which claimed its first attack on Nigerian soil last year.
—ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
Flooding in the following weeks and months worsened the damage and the misery.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
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
Melina Walling, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Kaley said her use of the platforms worsened her depression and suicidal thoughts.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 18 Feb. 2026
Conditions worsened through the day on Tuesday, and evacuation shelters were set up in Woodward and Mooreland, with food provided by the American Red Cross.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 18 Feb. 2026
The dynamic has only worsened in recent months.
—NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026
The disruption worsened already-existing shortages of anesthesia and pain medications, a crisis that rippled through operating rooms, oncology units, and emergency departments.
—Parker Crutchfield, STAT, 17 Feb. 2026
Recently, the crisis has worsened to include other militants from the neighboring Sahel region, including the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which claimed its first attack on Nigerian soil last year.
—ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
Flooding in the following weeks and months worsened the damage and the misery.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
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
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
-
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
-
Every year this doesn’t happen, Cohen grows more aggravated.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Software stocks have crumbled already this year, as investors worried the latest AI models will hurt a sector reliant on high fees for its business.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2026
-
After Malinin botched his final free in the singles competition, Cowan kept his distance as the skater crumbled into a grimace of abject disappointment.—
Colleen Barry,
Chicago Tribune,
16 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
-
Armed soldiers descended on the parliament by helicopter and attempted to storm the chamber where lawmakers were gathered.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In a predawn raid in Jackson Heights, scores of militarized agents from the Department of Homeland Security descended with assault weapons on a residential building, removing a man and woman from their apartment.—
Jordan Salama,
New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Wading conditions were excellent, but ultra-low water also complicated the fishing.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
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 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
