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 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 impact of high taxes is worsened by high costs of compliance with myriad state and local regulations. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026 Korpela said the shortage of marina slips has worsened in recent years as more people have purchased boats without a corresponding increase in dockage. — Miami Herald, 6 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 Investigators said the vessel attempted to return to shore as the weather worsened but was overwhelmed by the storm. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 July 2026 Despite the 2010 box office success ofJackass 3D, his spiral was worsened by the death of his best friend and Jackass co-star Ryan Dunn in a car crash the following year. — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026 As residents struggled to handle the extreme heat, worsened by climate change, so did climate infrastructure championed to combat it. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Critically, legislators inadvertently worsened the situation by deactivating accounts, thereby dismantling existing parental controls developed by Apple and Google. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsened

Verb

When that piano deteriorated, a player piano was secured for the plaza in June 2025, along with 25 piano rolls to play during events.

— Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
Her husband Kennus Gowans has stood by her side as her health deteriorated over the last few years.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026

Definition of deteriorated

Verb

But the irritation in his left knee, which is aggravated by pitching, continues to be a problem.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Buxton re-aggravated a right hip issue that has sidelined him multiple times this season on Sunday, leaving the game early after attempting to steal second base.

— Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026

Definition of aggravated

Verb

Tensions between the two tech companies have strained their relationship, as the race to develop AI products has intensified competition for talent and proprietary technology.

— Stephen Nellis, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Earlier, at least 17 people were killed in the southern Philippines, mostly due to landslides that were set off by seasonal monsoon rains that Bavi intensified before the typhoon blew away toward Taiwan, Philippine officials said Saturday.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of intensified

Verb

Nirmal Kumar, 44, a businessman, said what began as a leisurely trip descended into chaos within minutes as a storm lashed the boat.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
On a balmy June evening, a crowd of vampire obsessives descended upon the Upper West Side’s Beacon Theatre in a sea of black and red.

— Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026

Definition of descended

Verb

The war that followed October 7 deepened the rupture, with several Entebbe veterans joining the weekly protests calling on Netanyahu to end the fighting and strike a deal to bring the hostages home.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
His assertive foreign policy made Qatar a key mediator from Darfur to Gaza, while backing Islamists and hosting Taliban talks deepened rifts with neighbors and Western partners.

— Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

Definition of deepened

Verb

The firm declined to share Henderson’s declaration, citing a confidentiality agreement.

— Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
Attorneys for the defendants have denied the allegations in court, and MetroLoft declined to comment on the pending litigation on Thursday.

— Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Definition of declined

Verb

Ormund’s conviction is complicated by the fact that his most powerful asset, Daeron, is a Targaryen by lineage.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026
Even before Pulte's appointment complicated its path to renewal, the law was already on a bumpy path as civil liberties-minded lawmakers in both parties demanded reforms on warrant requirements.

— Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Definition of complicated

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“Worsened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsened. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of worsened

verb

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