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
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Recent Examples of worsened
Drought conditions worsened significantly in Nebraska last month, contributing to the state's largest wildfire on record.
—
Dan Peck, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
People who have been stable for years are suddenly re-exposed to risk, not because their disease worsened, but because coverage did.
—John Fomeche, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026
As most of the women note, Simon’s presence lingers through the echoing halls of Porsha’s new palace — both literally and metaphorically, thanks to some great editing of his shadow lurking in the background — a feeling worsened by Porsha parading a new man on her arm.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2026
Cubans face national blackouts, fuel shortages, and paralyzed hospitals after five years of economic crisis worsened by the oil embargo.
—Cristiana Mesquita, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
The tariff increases only worsened from there.
—Wayne Winegarden, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2026
For Lamar, who now has a tattoo on his chest to honor his younger son, the loss also worsened his struggle with addiction.
—Currie Engel, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Projections have worsened since Grant-Dawson took control of the finances, with this year’s deficit growing to $170 million since the first interim update.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The reality star and former basketball player's relationship began to fall apart as Odom's drug use worsened.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
Dan Peck, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
People who have been stable for years are suddenly re-exposed to risk, not because their disease worsened, but because coverage did.
—John Fomeche, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026
As most of the women note, Simon’s presence lingers through the echoing halls of Porsha’s new palace — both literally and metaphorically, thanks to some great editing of his shadow lurking in the background — a feeling worsened by Porsha parading a new man on her arm.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2026
Cubans face national blackouts, fuel shortages, and paralyzed hospitals after five years of economic crisis worsened by the oil embargo.
—Cristiana Mesquita, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
The tariff increases only worsened from there.
—Wayne Winegarden, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2026
For Lamar, who now has a tattoo on his chest to honor his younger son, the loss also worsened his struggle with addiction.
—Currie Engel, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Projections have worsened since Grant-Dawson took control of the finances, with this year’s deficit growing to $170 million since the first interim update.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The reality star and former basketball player's relationship began to fall apart as Odom's drug use worsened.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsened
Verb
-
The lawsuit says the hospital did not tell his family that Hylton’s condition had deteriorated and that he had been transferred to the ICU without a doctor on-site.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
-
All the while, his injuries mounted and personal life deteriorated.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The injury was first reported by the British tabloid, The Sun, which claimed that Turner had aggravated a pre-existing back injury.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Huerta pled guilty in February in Leavenworth County District Court to one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of aggravated endangering a child, according to previous Star reporting.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If the dinosaurs and woolly mammoths that once roamed the Earth had since crumbled into dust, then what hope was there for humanity?—
Kathryn Hughes,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Within a short time of the fire, the walls were left burnt and crumbled.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Their experience is raw material, and, for crew members, the passion and memories attached to this raw material are intensified by relations of class and power.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The federal government intensified efforts to expand family detention indefinitely by motioning to terminate a cornerstone policy ensuring the protection of immigrant children in federal custody.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Buxton had just descended some 130 feet from a hovering helicopter to help her.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
When Orion descended using a method of skipping in and out of the atmosphere to reduce speed, NASA thinks that caused the unexpected heat shield damage.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But no Attorney General in history has caused more damage to the department itself—damage that promises to long outlast Bondi’s tenure, and to be deepened, not repaired, by whoever is chosen to succeed her.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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Shadows deepened from brown and green and slate orange to a full, final black.—
Kate Crane,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In an email, Gardner declined to comment on the specifics of the situation.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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The prosecutor declined to comment further to AP pending further investigation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Activists overseas play a key role in tracking the crackdown, which is complicated by the ongoing internet shutdown imposed early this year during massive nationwide protests against the Islamic theocracy.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Activists overseas play a key role in tracking the crackdown, which is complicated by the internet shutdown imposed earlier this year during massive nationwide protests against the Islamic theocracy.—
Amir Hussein Radjy,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsened. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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