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
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
Those protests began in Tehran in late December in response to the collapse of the Iranian currency and the worsening of economic conditions, and then quickly took on a political character -- with crowds on the streets openly calling for regime change.
—Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2026
If your skin reaction is severe, worsening, persistent, or associated with allergy symptoms, get prompt medical attention.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2026
Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Two other sloths, Habanero and Bandit, also died because of their condition worsening after being rescued by the zoo.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Lower-income Americans sharply reduced their gas consumption in the month following the Iran war, yet spiking prices still forced them to spend more at the pump, worsening the economy’s economic disparities, new research released Wednesday showed.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Patients with thyroid conditions should talk to their endocrinologist about TED, to ensure that any new or worsening eye symptoms are being monitored.
—Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 6 May 2026
The worsening storm caused the Colorado Rockies to reschedule two games against the New York Mets.
—ABC News, 5 May 2026
His decades-long development of Olana, however, coincided with worsening rheumatoid arthritis.
—Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Health fears Over the past five years, Aris said the family has received troubling reports about her health, including a possible worsening heart condition.
—Lorcan Lovett, NPR, 3 May 2026
Many Americans feel financially squeezed — over half say their finances are worsening, according to a recent Gallup poll, the highest since 2001.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Noun
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
Those protests began in Tehran in late December in response to the collapse of the Iranian currency and the worsening of economic conditions, and then quickly took on a political character -- with crowds on the streets openly calling for regime change.
—Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2026
If your skin reaction is severe, worsening, persistent, or associated with allergy symptoms, get prompt medical attention.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
Local officials are hopeful the money can help prevent future upticks in land movement and, ideally, formalize a new pathway for additional federal funding to address the city’s ongoing hazards and worsening budget crisis.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Two other sloths, Habanero and Bandit, also died because of their condition worsening after being rescued by the zoo.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Lower-income Americans sharply reduced their gas consumption in the month following the Iran war, yet spiking prices still forced them to spend more at the pump, worsening the economy’s economic disparities, new research released Wednesday showed.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Patients with thyroid conditions should talk to their endocrinologist about TED, to ensure that any new or worsening eye symptoms are being monitored.
—Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 6 May 2026
The worsening storm caused the Colorado Rockies to reschedule two games against the New York Mets.
—ABC News, 5 May 2026
His decades-long development of Olana, however, coincided with worsening rheumatoid arthritis.
—Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Health fears Over the past five years, Aris said the family has received troubling reports about her health, including a possible worsening heart condition.
—Lorcan Lovett, NPR, 3 May 2026
Many Americans feel financially squeezed — over half say their finances are worsening, according to a recent Gallup poll, the highest since 2001.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsening
Noun
-
The aim wasn’t a knockout, but the gradual deterioration of San Antonio.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
-
Mayor Gloria’s egregious record of reckless spending has contributed to the steady deterioration of our city’s fiscal and civic health.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The poll also points to broader economic malaise; 55% of Americans say recent price increases have led to financial hardship, and the same number say their financial situation is deteriorating.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In all cases, companies are reporting a surge in oil trading activity, tempered somewhat by the deteriorating outlook for natural gas production, stemming from Iranian air strikes severely damaging crucial gas production sites in the Gulf.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These spillover effects are deepening an arc of instability stretching from Europe to the Middle East, from Africa to Asia.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
While announcing Jacobson’s hiring, Stagwell said her responsibilities will include expanding ReachTV’s footprint and deepening its content partnerships.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Speaking in Russia’s State Duma (parliament) last week, Zyuganov warned the country could face a Bolshevik-style revolution if the government fails to address the weakening economy.—
Zahra Ullah,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
-
Also, the evidence points to a weakening of the AMOC, but not a complete collapse.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The lawsuit, filed by the 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way Condominium Association, claims building residents have observed concrete balconies crumbling and the building's seawall corroding, issues that lawyers estimate will cost millions of dollars to repair.—
Larry Seward,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
Under the proposal, Berlin would increase its budget by one fifth in 2027 compared to this year, requiring it to borrow upwards of $200 billion to revive its military industry and modernize crumbling infrastructure.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These pressures are only intensifying as the AI boom moves from software into physical infrastructure, and demand for computing capacity grows exponentially.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
-
Ken Griffin and Zohran Mamdani's latest feud is intensifying after the billionaire said NYC's mayor put him in harm's way for including his penthouse in a video last month to promote his newest tax initiative.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Not the individual failing, not even the generational one, but the architecture of permission that organized the emotional lives of everyone within its radius.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
-
The previous Lord of the Flies adaptations, whatever their failings otherwise, were similarly showcases for casting discoveries.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Bass defended her administration’s handling of homelessness, pointing to declining homelessness counts and the city’s Inside Safe program, while criticizing Raman’s record on police hiring and past votes against some encampment enforcement measures near schools and other sensitive sites.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
8 May 2026
-
Poverty, lack of transportation to school and mental health struggles contribute to absenteeism and declining enrollment across San Diego County.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsening. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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