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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of worsened
The doctors said her vascular disease has worsened since she was last checked in 2024 and recommended an eight-month treatment course .
—
Natalie Melzer, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Drought conditions in Georgia have worsened since the project was announced, and today, the whole state is experiencing severe to exceptional drought, with destructive wildfires burning in the southern part of Georgia.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 13 May 2026
The longstanding problem has worsened in recent years, and Coronado’s Central Beach was closed to bathers on 129 days in 2025 because of unsafe bacteria levels.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Overcrowding has worsened conditions at the Mecklenburg County jail in recent months, people held there told The Charlotte Observer.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
Over the next couple of hours, Cantrell’s condition worsened, the suit says.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 12 May 2026
One of the most striking patterns in midlife HS is that patients often describe symptoms as more disruptive—even when clinical severity hasn’t significantly worsened.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 11 May 2026
According to French Health Minister Stephanie Rist, a French woman also tested positive for hantavirus and her condition has worsened in the hospital overnight, per the Associated Press.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
Her symptoms worsened during a flight to Johannesburg, South Africa, on April 25.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Natalie Melzer, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Drought conditions in Georgia have worsened since the project was announced, and today, the whole state is experiencing severe to exceptional drought, with destructive wildfires burning in the southern part of Georgia.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 13 May 2026
The longstanding problem has worsened in recent years, and Coronado’s Central Beach was closed to bathers on 129 days in 2025 because of unsafe bacteria levels.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Overcrowding has worsened conditions at the Mecklenburg County jail in recent months, people held there told The Charlotte Observer.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
Over the next couple of hours, Cantrell’s condition worsened, the suit says.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 12 May 2026
One of the most striking patterns in midlife HS is that patients often describe symptoms as more disruptive—even when clinical severity hasn’t significantly worsened.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 11 May 2026
According to French Health Minister Stephanie Rist, a French woman also tested positive for hantavirus and her condition has worsened in the hospital overnight, per the Associated Press.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
Her symptoms worsened during a flight to Johannesburg, South Africa, on April 25.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsened
Verb
-
The leaders best positioned through each of these disruptions were not the ones calling us when the situation deteriorated, but those who had already built their structure during the quiet years.—
Dwayne Chauhan,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Over the course of the next hour, the weather deteriorated rapidly.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
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When asked if there was one particular incident that aggravated the knee, Webb pointed to his recent start against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 30.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
-
Ingram aggravated a heel injury that bothered him late in the regular season in the second quarter of Wednesday’s Game 5.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Murdaugh’s father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather were each elected as top prosecutors in the region, burnishing a family reputation that eventually crumbled.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
-
That’s how the Spurs got going early, and Minnesota’s defense crumbled.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Several candidates said the case has intensified conversations around ethics and accountability, while also highlighting broader frustrations residents already had with City Hall responsiveness and city services.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
-
Forgoing the traditional show of force in favor of security, the parade took place after intensified Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russian territory, particularly against oil refineries, as the Ukrainian government accuses the Kremlin of continuing attacks on Kyiv and beyond.—
Zahra Ullah,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Surveillance video captured the dramatic end to the crash, including when a man flew out of the truck, rolled onto the ground and stood up before law enforcement descended on the scene.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
Outside the Capitol, House Speaker Mike Johnson descended the stairs to a lectern.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Verb
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China, which has deepened military and economic cooperation with both Pakistan and Iran in recent years, has publicly celebrated Pakistan's role in facilitating indirect communications between Tehran and Washington.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
-
On the witness stand, Nadella testified that OpenAI retained its independence even as the Microsoft-OpenAI partnership deepened over time.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Yolo County’s homeless population declined slightly over the past two years, but nearly two-thirds of the people counted in January were living outdoors as county leaders considered millions of dollars in cuts to the services many rely on.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
16 May 2026
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Nearby homeowner Mike, who declined to provide his last name and lost his home in the 2017 Tubbs Fire, said the changing weather is a reminder of how quickly fire danger can escalate.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Verb
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But a fascinating 1998 study published in the International Journal of Primatology complicated this explanation.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
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According to the Cleveland Clinic, 5 to 8 percent of births in the United States are complicated by preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders.—
Tina Sturdevant,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsened. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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