Synonyms of worsening

worsening 1 of 2

noun

as in deterioration

Related Words

• deterioration
• weakening
• failing
• fading
• sinking
• degeneration
• decline
• wilting
• languishing
• withering
• regression
• wasting (away)
• relapse

Dissimilar Words

• recovery
• rehabilitation
• healing
• convalescence
• recuperation
• mending
• rehab
• comeback
• revival
• rally
• survival
• resuscitation
• snapback

worsening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of worsen

1

as in deteriorating

to become worse or of less value

the condition of the house worsened with every year of neglect

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deteriorating
• crumbling
• declining
• descending
• diminishing
• degenerating
• rotting
• ebbing
• sinking
• decaying
• regressing
• weakening
• devolving
• retrograding
• atrophying
• disintegrating
• sagging
• falling
• reducing
• dwindling
• waning
• going to pot
• receding
• going to seed
• downsizing
• degrading
• slipping
• decomposing
• souring
• undermining
• debilitating
• putrefying
• lessening
• abating
• dilapidating
• corrupting
• spoiling
• moldering
• lagging
• de-escalating
• lowering
• drooping
• failing
• wasting (away)
• languishing
• flagging
• running down
• breaking down
• wilting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improving
• ameliorating
• upgrading
• bettering
• intensifying
• enhancing
• strengthening
• meliorating
• developing
• heightening
• enriching
• progressing
• proceeding
• advancing
• fortifying
• marching

2

as in deepening

to make more severe

the harsh winter only worsened the fuel shortage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deepening
• intensifying
• aggravating
• complicating
• exacerbating
• amplifying
• magnifying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• alleviating
• relieving
• mitigating
• helping
• improving
• easing
• ameliorating
• allaying
• bettering
• assuaging

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of worsening

Noun

The most active group had less worsening of those motor symptoms than the least active group. — Jennifer Fields, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Faster diagnosis can help people with early-stage Alzheimer’s qualify for drugs that can modestly slow the worsening of their symptoms. — Lauran Neergaard, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Indonesia has pledged to keep subsidized fuel prices unchanged through 2026, which may strain the budget if oil prices rise again due to supply disruptions or a worsening of military confrontations. — Celestine Iyer, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Troubling statistics While many of Kraepelin’s observations were spot on, his views on the disorder causing inevitable worsening were incorrect. — Matthew Kurtz, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026

The filing is backed by a Phase 3 study that showed the drug resulted in significant improvements in overall survival and progression-free survival over standard chemotherapy, along with delayed worsening of pain and quality of life. — Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 23 July 2026

Limited evidence suggests that people with genetic deficiencies of CoQ10 who abruptly stop taking it can experience a worsening of kidney function. — Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 16 June 2026

For example, stopping antidepressants or anxiety medication can lead to severe worsening of the condition or potentially dangerous withdrawals. — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026

People with postexertional malaise, the worsening of symptoms following even minor physical or mental exertion, may be at a higher risk for adverse effects from the therapy, Faghy and Putrino point out. — Clarissa Brincat, Scientific American, 1 June 2026

Verb

The victim went to the campus health clinic in August with worsening finger tingling and numbness, and leg weakness. — Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026

Stocks dropped to their worst day since July on Wednesday after the latest signal that inflation is worsening. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Professor says the victim is still experiencing symptoms The alleged victim went to the campus health clinic in August with worsening finger tingling and numbness, and leg weakness. — CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

And as always, at the top level, the sport is dependent upon manufacturer largesse, something that usually vanishes in the face of worsening economic outlooks. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

Many have taken to the streets in towns and neighborhoods to protest the worsening situation, with roadblocks, tire-burning and residents holding up signs criticizing the government for not providing adequate solutions. — Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

The city, the capital of Amazonas state, suspended in-person work at municipal administrative offices, citing worsening air quality. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

But oil revenue has been particularly constrained by theft and pipeline vandalism that has cost the country about $300 billion in recent years, compounding in a worsening security crisis that has hampered the overall economy. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Similarly, cyber insurance requirements are also tightening in reaction to a worsening threat landscape. — David Bennett, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026