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
Relevance
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
Now a controversial study claims that working from home worsened mental health.
—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
The American pope has prioritized church unity and healing tensions with traditionalists that worsened during the Pope Francis pontificate.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
As a result of the energy and health crisis, which worsened in January when subsidized fuel deliveries to the island were suspended, nearly 100,000 surgeries have been postponed, according to the United Nations.
—
Sarah Moreno
july 1,
Miami Herald,
1 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
The consecrations amounted to a crisis for Leo, who has prioritized church unity and healing tensions with traditionalists that worsened during Pope Francis’ pontificate.
—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
However, over the weekend, Makan's care team noticed his illness had rapidly worsened.
—
Cecilio Padilla,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
From there, his symptoms worsened, and in October 2024, Wilks was hospitalized.
—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
30 June 2026
Rising global energy prices have worsened the situation.
—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
25 June 2026
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
The American pope has prioritized church unity and healing tensions with traditionalists that worsened during the Pope Francis pontificate.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
As a result of the energy and health crisis, which worsened in January when subsidized fuel deliveries to the island were suspended, nearly 100,000 surgeries have been postponed, according to the United Nations.
—
Sarah Moreno
july 1,
Miami Herald,
1 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
The consecrations amounted to a crisis for Leo, who has prioritized church unity and healing tensions with traditionalists that worsened during Pope Francis’ pontificate.
—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
However, over the weekend, Makan's care team noticed his illness had rapidly worsened.
—
Cecilio Padilla,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
From there, his symptoms worsened, and in October 2024, Wilks was hospitalized.
—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
30 June 2026
Rising global energy prices have worsened the situation.
—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
25 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsened
Verb
-
Israel and Turkey were once close allies, but ties deteriorated after Erdogan, whose party is rooted in Turkey’s Islamic movement, came to power.
-
The situation in Haiti has deteriorated since armed groups took control of most of Port-au-Prince in 2024.
Verb
-
Chicago police said Lance Cunningham, 24, is facing felony charges, including multiple counts of reckless homicide and aggravated DUI.
-
In August 2023, Shirilla was convicted of murder, felonious assault, aggravated vehicular homicide, drug possession, and criminal tools possession (psilocybin mushrooms and a scale were found at the crime scene).
Verb
-
Today Twain would be startled by the passivity of a once-mighty Congress that has all but crumbled in the face of pressure from the White House.
-
The Venezuelan government had housed them in a building in La Guaira that crumbled.
Verb
-
Ukraine has intensified strikes on Russian energy infrastructure this year, causing fuel shortages in parts of Russia.
-
Gymshark’s growth has slowed as competition has intensified and consumers have become more cautious about spending.
Verb
-
America's favorite investment has changed over time In 2008, as the Great Recession descended, Americans picked the humble savings account (and the certificate of deposit) as their favorite long-term investment in Gallup polls.
-
Then something unusual happened as Valdez descended in the boom lift with Pinky’s remains.
Verb
-
Recent workplace shifts have deepened the loneliness epidemic.
-
The continued seismic activity has deepened fears among residents already traumatized by the disaster.
Verb
-
The location for the bronze statue on the Wimbledon grounds hasn't been announced and Williams-Ellis declined to offer specifics about the pose.
-
In doing so, Valdez, like fellow successful DSA New York Congressional candidate Avila Chevalier, declined to endorse Jeffries as minority leader or even Speaker if the Democrats take back the House.
Verb
-
Robinson’s value is complicated, as the elite rim protector and offensive rebounder has a history of ankle surgeries, and he’s been played off of the court in the postseason due to his free-throw-shooting deficiencies.
-
Why Employees Still Struggle With Open Enrollment Benefits language is inherently complicated, and most employees aren't insurance experts.
Cite this Entry
“Worsened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsened. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
