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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 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 Officials had previously cut the figure to 32 as drought conditions worsened. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026 Its health-care, tariff, and tax policies have worsened inflation and increased the financial burden on most American households, even as incomes have grown. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026 The central bank’s tougher stance on monetary policy comes as the Fed grapples with stubborn inflation, worsened by a recent rebound in oil prices. — Jeff Cox,darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026 Inflation has been above the Fed’s 2% target for almost half a decade and has worsened since the start of the war with Iran. — Matt Stiles, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026 As Stevie prepped her fifth album, Street Angel, her issues with Klonopin worsened. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026 That worsened inflation worries and cranked up pressure in the bond market, helping send stocks lower again on Wall Street. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 10 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
  • 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
  • The loss aggravated criticism of quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ lack of protection for him.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 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
  • The alert marked the first time Riyadh had received such a warning since fighting in Yemen intensified in July.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Just days before Ukrainian Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027 began, Russian air strikes intensified on the city of Kyiv.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of intensified
Verb
  • Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars descended upon Los Angeles over the weekend for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Opening Night Gala, celebrating George Lucas’ new 300,000-square-foot space dedicated to art, film and imagination.
    — Tim Chan, Footwear News, 20 Sep. 2026
  • In October, studio hirelings with sound cameras and recording devices descended on suburbs around Los Angeles and smaller southern California towns and asked voters to voice their political preferences.
    — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of descended
Verb
  • Sunday's results have deepened his problems, focusing attention even more closely on his ability to deliver reforms while also keeping the governing coalition and his own party together.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Neighbors were getting them too The mystery deepened when Scarpella learned several neighbors on his block were receiving similar packages.
    — Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of deepened
Verb
  • The Pentagon declined to address questions about the accounting discrepancy.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Thrive Eternal, the sports properties company run by incoming Lakers owner Joshua Kushner, declined to comment because the NBA has not yet approved the sale.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of declined
Verb
  • Providing adequate special education services in Texas public schools can be complicated by teaching shortages.
    — Lina Ruiz September 21, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026
  • That concern followed the Jayhawks home from London after one of the more encouraging developments in Saturday’s 24-17 loss to Arizona State was complicated by one of the most troubling.
    — Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 20 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 26 Sep. 2026.

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