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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of worsening
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
Studies show that up to 70% of women report a significant worsening of ADHD symptoms during perimenopause, yet almost none of them were told this would happen.
—Sarah Oreck, SELF, 2 Mar. 2026
Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
At the same time, the National divide over slavery was worsening.
—New York Times, 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
The fish kill should not be seen as a sign that Como Lake’s health is worsening, Belden said.
—Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 10 June 2026
The incident follows months of worsening drought conditions in the region.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Mistakes to Avoid Avoid these mistakes when encountering a baby bird out of its nest to prevent the situation from worsening.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
Bracing may be recommended for growing children with progressive curves to help prevent the condition from worsening.
—Oc Register, 10 June 2026
Noun
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
Studies show that up to 70% of women report a significant worsening of ADHD symptoms during perimenopause, yet almost none of them were told this would happen.
—Sarah Oreck, SELF, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
At the same time, the National divide over slavery was worsening.
—New York Times, 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
The fish kill should not be seen as a sign that Como Lake’s health is worsening, Belden said.
—Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 10 June 2026
The incident follows months of worsening drought conditions in the region.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Mistakes to Avoid Avoid these mistakes when encountering a baby bird out of its nest to prevent the situation from worsening.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
Bracing may be recommended for growing children with progressive curves to help prevent the condition from worsening.
—Oc Register, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsening
Noun
-
It was closed in 1994 due to deterioration, and Kansas City residents passed a limited-run sales tax to support the building's restoration in 1998.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
Jim argued the recent weakness has more to do with market dynamics than any deterioration in Nvidia's business.—
Alexa LoMonaco,
CNBC,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
The track shouldn’t do that The problem was a new patch of tarmac that apparently wasn’t up to scratch and started deteriorating under the cars’ tires.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
8 June 2026
-
Yet many investors and strategists say foreign selling has less to do with deteriorating fundamentals and more to do with the market's own success.—
Sean Conlon,Joseph Wilkins,Tanaya Macheel,Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Even still, Xi’s visit now, and his talk of deepening ties across trade, science and technology, is a sign that Beijing wants to reassert its position as Pyongyang’s primary partner.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Robots learn virtually LG is also deepening its push into robotics.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Friday, a weakening ridge and an approaching front will allow scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop.—
Lauren Bostwick,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
But the United States' retreat from the worldwide public health stage amid the outbreak in Africa and a worldwide measles outbreak has some experts concerned any weakening of public health makes the America susceptible to infectious diseases.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Photos from the local information office in General Santos City, which has about 720,000 people, showed convenience stores and buildings crumbling in the aftermath of the quake.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
-
Those who work in Cuba’s crumbling tourism sector lamented Meliá’s announcement.—
Andrea Rodríguez,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
And those farmers are horribly disillusioned by this intensifying deflation and depression that spreads after 1873.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
-
The United States has imposed travel bans on more than 100 Nicaraguan officials and relatives, intensifying pressure on President Daniel Ortega and his co-president wife, Rosario Murillo, over a mounting record of human rights abuses.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
In all these books, animals serve as mirrors, reflecting our personal and societal shortcomings and shame, our hubris, anxiety, and moral failings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
Shortly after the theft, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu accused the Drents Museum of security failings—a claim the museum rejected—amid mounting threats of legal action against the Dutch.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Underlying the debate is an intense competition for public school students, which has become an existential threat in an era of sharply declining enrollment, especially given the reality that school districts are funded based on enrollment.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
More than a moral issue, the case risks a reputational crisis that could lead to declining sales, stock volatility, leadership instability and long-term damage to shareholder value, the organizations wrote.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsening. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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