as in deterioration
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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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deepening
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 worsening
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
However, the incidents have contributed to a worsening of the mood around Madrid and should also be considered notable for that reason.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 5 May 2026
The South Bay has been able to absorb thousands of layoffs yet still avoid a worsening of the jobless rate in the region, Hancock noted.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
Two of the people with MS, including Miller, have progressive MS, a form of the disease marked by gradual worsening of neurological function and disabilities over time.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
With America’s loneliness epidemic worsening, there’s a real risk of suicide rates continuing to rise.
—Sam Manzella, Flow Space, 5 Mar. 2026
Homelessness in Detroit Detroit’s homelessness crisis is both long-standing and worsening.
—Deyanira Nevárez Martínez, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Aisha Nyandoro, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Lower inventory leads to fewer sales, worsening their standing with automakers.
—Byron Hurd, The Drive, 18 June 2026
Futurum Group said in a recent note that accelerating demand for AI processors is worsening a structural shortage in DRAM, a market where SK Hynix is a leading supplier of both conventional memory and high-bandwidth memory chips used in AI systems.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 June 2026
The pay raises also increase the city’s long-term pension obligations, worsening the city’s budget crisis by raising its annual pension payment above its already record-high levels.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2026
Many people assume progression means treatment has failed or that cancer is rapidly worsening.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 15 June 2026
Simsbury residents have reacted with widespread opposition, largely based on concerns about overdevelopment, worsening traffic, a costly spike in school enrollments and unwelcome change to what traditionally has been a semi-rural town.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
Utah’s worsening measles outbreak, which has already sickened more than 670 people, including babies too young to get vaccinated, is a stark reminder of what happens when immunization rates fall.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 11 June 2026
When a veteran tries to stop, the same symptoms that cannabis seemed to quiet come roaring back in potentially dangerous ways – rebound insomnia and nightmares, worsening depression and, in some cases, thoughts of suicide.
—Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
Noun
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
However, the incidents have contributed to a worsening of the mood around Madrid and should also be considered notable for that reason.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 5 May 2026
The South Bay has been able to absorb thousands of layoffs yet still avoid a worsening of the jobless rate in the region, Hancock noted.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
Two of the people with MS, including Miller, have progressive MS, a form of the disease marked by gradual worsening of neurological function and disabilities over time.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
With America’s loneliness epidemic worsening, there’s a real risk of suicide rates continuing to rise.
—Sam Manzella, Flow Space, 5 Mar. 2026
Homelessness in Detroit Detroit’s homelessness crisis is both long-standing and worsening.
—Deyanira Nevárez Martínez, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
This affordability crisis disproportionately impacts Black women, with 90% reporting worsening economic conditions and incomes not keeping pace.
—Aisha Nyandoro, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Lower inventory leads to fewer sales, worsening their standing with automakers.
—Byron Hurd, The Drive, 18 June 2026
Futurum Group said in a recent note that accelerating demand for AI processors is worsening a structural shortage in DRAM, a market where SK Hynix is a leading supplier of both conventional memory and high-bandwidth memory chips used in AI systems.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 June 2026
The pay raises also increase the city’s long-term pension obligations, worsening the city’s budget crisis by raising its annual pension payment above its already record-high levels.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2026
Many people assume progression means treatment has failed or that cancer is rapidly worsening.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 15 June 2026
Simsbury residents have reacted with widespread opposition, largely based on concerns about overdevelopment, worsening traffic, a costly spike in school enrollments and unwelcome change to what traditionally has been a semi-rural town.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
Utah’s worsening measles outbreak, which has already sickened more than 670 people, including babies too young to get vaccinated, is a stark reminder of what happens when immunization rates fall.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 11 June 2026
When a veteran tries to stop, the same symptoms that cannabis seemed to quiet come roaring back in potentially dangerous ways – rebound insomnia and nightmares, worsening depression and, in some cases, thoughts of suicide.
—Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsening
Noun
-
Oslo University Hospital on June 5 said Mette-Marit had been placed on a waiting list for a lung transplant after a significant deterioration in her health that likely gave her only a year left to live without the surgery.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
-
That moment revealed profound psychiatric deterioration and human suffering.—
Justyna Rzewinski,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Many of these coupists capitalized on public discontent over deteriorating economies and security conditions to overthrow their predecessors.—
Kaitlyn Rabe,
The Conversation,
16 June 2026
-
Project Jupiter has pledged $360 million for schools and local infrastructure, $50 million for an upgrade to the county’s deteriorating water utility, and $12 million annually to the county budget.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Inside Ecole National Republique de Colombie in the Turgeau neighborhood where 1,246 individuals live in squalor, residents uprooted by gangs described lives defined by deepening hunger and increasingly inhumane conditions.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
-
Alo, the fashion and wellness brand best known for its athleisure, is deepening its beauty offering with two introductions.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
One of the most significant changes during Hill’s tenure was the weakening of structures designed to elevate teacher concerns to district leadership, Oreskovic said.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
-
Friday, a weakening ridge and an approaching front will allow scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop.—
Lauren Bostwick,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
If the grout is crumbling, cracked, or permanently discolored, replacing it may be the best solution.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
10 June 2026
-
In the background, in the doorway of a crumbling stone building, stands a tiny, faceless figure, her arms held neatly behind her back.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, the pace of technological change is accelerating, and global competition is intensifying.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
-
The upward pressure is intensifying this week as derivatives and other kinds of secondary financial instruments related to SpaceX go live.—
Tobias Burns,
CNBC,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Tordillos noted that the potential shortfall from the hotel tax failing would have been just a fraction of the threat posed by the November ballot measure.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
-
The outsize failings of the men in power demand a grand reimagining of the consequences of those failings, and Helen of Nowhere offers up, exhilaratingly and naughtily, a myth for the man who needs to be shuffled offstage one way or another.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Factors such as declining birth rates and families moving out of the city are contributing to declining enrollment at Denver Public Schools.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
While one in three students nationwide experienced chronic absenteeism during the 2021-2022 academic year, the rate is declining, from up to 30% to roughly 24% by the start of the past school year, according to estimates from the Return 2 Learn tracker reviewed by ABC News.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsening. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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