worsened

verb

past tense of worsen
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

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 Five of six different brain tests showed diranersen recipients’ memory and other cognitive abilities still worsened but more slowly than those given dummy shots, Mummery said. — Lauran Neergaard, Fortune, 14 July 2026 Neighbors who saw smoke coming from the home reached Bo and Addie before conditions worsened. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 14 July 2026 The dangers of turning insecurity into daily ritual For 20-year-old Kat, from New York, attempting to manifest appearance changes only worsened her self-loathing. — Daisy Schofield, Allure, 13 July 2026 Two measures tied to Alzheimer’s progression, hippocampal shrinkage and ventricle expansion, worsened in the control group but held steady in the treatment group. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026 On top of these Medicaid changes, the Administration’s crackdown on immigrants, including those living and working legally in the US, has worsened a serious shortage of direct care workers. — Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 But the security situation has worsened with a record number of militant attacks. — ABC News, 10 July 2026 Start by checking the hourly forecast for your destination, and ask everyone traveling with you about health considerations that could be worsened by heat pregnancy, heart conditions, medications that affect hydration. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 8 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsened
  1. deteriorated
  2. aggravated
  3. crumbled
  4. intensified
  5. descended
  6. deepened
  7. declined
  8. complicated
Verb
  • The relationship between Cassidy and Kennedy has deteriorated after Cassidy criticized Kennedy’s vaccine policies.
    — Helen Branswell, STAT, 15 July 2026
  • What began as a low-level juvenile case became five years in secure custody as his behavior deteriorated and new charges accumulated.
    — Christina Buttons, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
Definition of deteriorated
Verb
  • These dangers are aggravated by the widespread use of methamphetamine.
    — Josh Katz, New York Times, 15 July 2026
  • The star guard returned from a back injury aggravated during the June 24 game against the Phoenix Mercury and scored just nine points in 16 minutes.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of aggravated
Verb
  • At the height of Venezuela’s earthquake response, as rescue crews searched crumbled and flattened buildings for signs of life, one worker named Tsunami was supposed to be taking a rare break in the shade.
    — Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026
  • With the mountain of new evidence presented by the prosecution during this week’s hearings, those theories have effectively crumbled.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 2026
Definition of crumbled
Verb
  • The battle over the Strait of Hormuz intensified in a conflict increasingly focused on control of the essential waterway that previously carried a fifth of the world’s crude oil.
    — Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
  • Oil prices have jumped as fighting has intensified in recent days, and more war would deliver another shock to global markets.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 18 July 2026
Definition of intensified
Verb
  • Rescue workers, including members of the Big Bear Fire Department, descended a hill below the support structure and found the victim.
    — Seamus Bozeman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2026
  • Visitors from the four corners of the soccer-worshipping earth descended upon our huge and beautifully chaotic country and a whole bunch of them seemed to fall in love with the place and its people.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of descended
Verb
  • And that uncertainty only deepened last week after comments from within the organization suggested that two of Atlanta's most important starters could be ruled out for the year.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Since then, the divide between them has reportedly deepened further, especially since Charles met with Harry and his family during Harry’s visit to the UK in July 2026.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 19 July 2026
Definition of deepened
Verb
  • The business remained open Saturday afternoon, but employees declined to comment on the raid when reached by phone.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 July 2026
  • When Britain withdrew from the Gulf, Qatar declined to fold into the federation that became the United Arab Emirates and took independence alone in 1971, under Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali, before Hamad's branch of the family held power.
    — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of declined
Verb
  • There are so many extras and cast members, the lighting was really complicated, and I was being followed by a spotlight all the time.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 July 2026
  • The visit is complicated by Everett’s (Mulroney) plans to propose to his high-strung girlfriend, Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker), whom Sybil does not approve of.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 18 July 2026
Definition of complicated

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Cite this Entry

“Worsened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsened. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of worsened for Spanish Speakers

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