WORSENED Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

worsened

verb

past tense of worsen

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

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 This pollution crisis, first detected 50 years ago, is the result of inadequate wastewater infrastructure and toxic contamination buildup which has worsened dramatically in recent years. — Samhita M Ilango, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 His relatives called Montes a troubled man whose struggles have worsened since the recent death of his grandmother, who raised him. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026 Penrose said Chad’s behavior worsened after he was released from jail and his divorce from Katie was finalized. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026 The district’s budget troubles have been worsened by leadership turnover among top school officials. — Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026 Ben Levinson cited worsened air quality and visibility due to smog. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 13 Aug. 2026 In a 2023 poll by MediaNet and PaperLab, nearly one-third of Kazakhs said their perception of Russia has worsened because of the war. — Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Aug. 2026 The smoke from the blazes, coupled with fires in neighboring Canada, worsened air quality for millions across the country. — Simmone Shah, Time, 12 Aug. 2026 This decline was possibly made worse by federal immigration enforcement, which district officials believe worsened the annual districtwide decline last year from about 2% — which had been expected — to about 4%. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsened

Verb

Her motive wasn’t a major part of the trial, but evidence presented by the prosecution suggested her relationship with her in-laws had deteriorated.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
As the deployment has stretched on and living conditions on board have allegedly deteriorated, the crew of the Lincoln has also reportedly struggled with increasing mental health concerns.

— Connor Greene, Time, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of deteriorated

Verb

Early Wednesday morning, parts of the street near Riley Road and Crescent Drive crumbled and washed away.

— Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2026
In a time yet to be named, when the couple’s love crumbled in the dead of night during a blackout, the planet became populated once more.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of crumbled

Verb

In 2025, after a joint appearance with Prince William at London’s COP30 climate summit, that concern intensified.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 15 Aug. 2026
As the Taliban have intensified their repression, women have found new ways to continue nonviolent resistance.

— Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of intensified

Verb

In Las Vegas for the Mike Tyson-Bruce Seldon fight at the MGM Grand, Shakur and Knight were among the entertainment-industry celebrities who descended on Sin City for the bout.

— Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
One hundred or more local residents, tourists, and photographers descended on the church grounds with cameras, telescopes, music, and their favorite libations.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of descended

Verb

China, which appointed an ambassador to the Taliban government in December 2023, has deepened its economic ties, with Chinese companies becoming major players in Afghan oil, copper and lithium extraction.

— Kara Fox, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Students and families said the shift has been especially severe in parts of the south, including Helmand and Kandahar, where families already placed a stronger emphasis on religious studies and Taliban rule has deepened that pressure.

— Fatima Faizi, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of deepened

Verb

And while her office brought its findings to the Illinois State Police and Cook County state’s attorney, a spokesperson said, Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke declined to immediately bring charges.

— Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Investigators ultimately declined to file criminal charges against Brady Kiser in connection with the toddler’s death.

— Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of declined

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worsened

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Style

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

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Synonyms of worsened

verb

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