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

While alcohol may transiently improve mood and ease social anxiety, long-term alcohol use can lead to a worsening of mood, cognition and sleep, which can further compound use. — Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 2 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

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

Verb

The worsening air quality means significant changes to his daily routine. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

The trouble with fires and climate change But Silicon Valley’s rush to deploy newer AI models has also come with considerable climate costs that are linked to a worsening wildfire problem. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026

This mirrors pandemic-era shifts, with worsening air quality globally driving demand for cleaner indoor environments. — Daryl Fairweather, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

But forecasters said that more smoke could travel back into the area later on Friday, worsening the pollution on Saturday—though not as bad as the air quality was on Thursday—before finally clearing up on Sunday. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 17 July 2026

Northwest winds have carried smoke across the Great Lakes and into the Northeast this week, producing yellow and hazy skies, reducing visibility and worsening air quality. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Russia's economic situation Long queues have been seen at Russian petrol stations as the country grapples with a worsening fuel crisis. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 July 2026

Families are feeling squeezed by rising housing costs, worsening traffic, and the increasing cost of living. — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026

The project faces some neighborhood opposition, especially from those living next door at the Roney Palace condominium, several who aren’t happy about possible noise and traffic worsening on 22nd Street and Collins Avenue. — Miami Herald, 9 July 2026