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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 Joe and Nathan’s doomed bromance started off tense, got better over time, and worsened again once Joe found another bro to romance with. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026 Many identified themselves as teachers, noting that pandemic-era disruptions to in-class learning severely worsened reading deficits. — Chris Fusco, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026 The flooding could be worsened if rain is falling at the same time that water levels are rising. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026 Shoppers expect inflation to rise even more over the next year, according to a recent University of Michigan consumer survey, while individuals’ view of their financial outlook has worsened. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026 In 1974, Betkouski sustained a traumatic brain injury that worsened his mental health problems, Cooper said. — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 Traffic and flooding are Cutler Bay’s most pressing challenges, and both are worsened by growth outpacing our infrastructure. — Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026 Eastern Congo has been embroiled in conflict for decades, and fighting along the Ugandan and Rwandan borders has worsened in the last few years. — Stephanie Psaki, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026 Steen had learning problems and had begun using drugs at 12 or 13, and his difficulties worsened after the motorcycle accident. — Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsened
  1. deteriorated
  2. aggravated
  3. crumbled
  4. intensified
  5. descended
  6. deepened
  7. declined
  8. complicated
Verb
  • Carney maintained this approach even as US-Canada relations deteriorated and the economic rift between the neighbors grew.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026
  • With no unionization company-wide, the efforts of distribution workers to seek any protections have been routinely dismissed while accidents and working conditions have deteriorated at many of their plants.
    — Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of deteriorated
Verb
  • Stribling suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 and was expected to miss 10 weeks, giving him a timeline to return in November, while Kirk aggravated a calf injury early in training camp and is eligible to return Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Alyssa Louise Anderson, the driver of the vehicle, has been arrested and booked into the Canyon County Jail on charges of vehicular manslaughter, aggravated DUI, and leaving the scene of an injury accident, according to online court records.
    — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggravated
Verb
  • One source familiar with the negotiations said the states had four separate votes against settling on Sunday, but the resistance eventually crumbled with word that the WGA was backing out of the fight.
    — Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Finally, the structure crumbled in a roar of broken concrete and a cloud of dust.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of crumbled
Verb
  • Tensions had already intensified Monday when Pakistani fighter jets struck sites in eastern Afghanistan that Islamabad described as militant hideouts.
    — MUNIR AHMED, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images The 10-year Treasury note yield was relatively unchanged on Friday after recent selling pressure intensified following hawkish Federal Reserve commentary and stronger-than-expected economic data.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya,Sean Conlon, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of intensified
Verb
  • Madonna then descended the stairs and removed her coat to reveal a red-and-black corset as dancers lifted her onto a table that rolled around a choir in the audience wearing white veils.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The president and the first lady held hands and walked to the foot of the stairs in front of Xi's plane, standing for a few moments before the Chinese leader and Madame Peng descended.
    — Isabella Murray, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of descended
Verb
  • Retail sales slowed further, and the urban investment slump deepened in August, while industrial output rebounded on the back of exports.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
  • They mystery deepened when co-host Craig Melvin acknowledged Roker’s absence with little elaboration.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of deepened
Verb
  • Laboratory officials declined to provide details, citing privacy concerns, but said experts from India, China, the United States, Singapore and South Korea were assisting with the work.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The couple — identified as Trinity County residents Mallory and Jeff Wilson by the San Francisco Chronicle, which was first to report on the incident — declined The Times’ interview request.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of declined
Verb
  • General Daily Insight for September 28, 2026 A fresh approach could solve something that has felt unnecessarily complicated.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Manning still has flashbacks — now, compounded by fear that the next evacuation could be complicated by heavy truck traffic.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 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 30 Sep. 2026.

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