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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Recent Examples of worsening
Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2026
Over three years of follow-up, people who received the higher dose of the treatment showed slower worsening of their movement and daily functioning than a control group that did not receive the therapy.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
According to IQAir, a number of natural weather and human phenomena can contribute to the air quality worsening.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
According to Shah, the rise in gestational diabetes can be attributed to the worsening of health in young adults throughout the country.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
In a series of stunning, large trials, researchers established that these drugs lowered blood glucose, delayed the worsening of kidney disease, and were strongly correlated with reduced risk of several cardiac conditions.
—Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
The figures suggest that Americans are increasingly wary of high costs and sluggish job gains, with perceptions of the labor market worsening, the survey found.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025
In the old tool, the factors weren’t measured by a worsening, neutral or improving score.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
Potential complications include sinus and ear infections; inflammation of the heart, brain or muscle tissues; multi-organ failure; sepsis or the worsening of chronic conditions like asthma.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Several Maryland school systems announced early dismissals Friday as forecasters warned of worsening weather conditions later in the day.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
The attack reflects Nigeria’s worsening security crisis as extremist groups expand operations southward from northern strongholds, challenging government authority across the nation.
—Pelumi Salako, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
The third might buy time but at the cost of leaving the market undersupplied with term credit, and with the fundamental fiscal problem still worsening as deficits compound and debt service consumes an ever-larger share of federal outlays.
—Daniel J. Arbess, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Her situation is one of the first visible effects of the cuts being made to respond to a worsening budget outlook.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The announcement comes as Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy and logistics infrastructure, worsening conditions for civilians as winter temperatures plunge.
—Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
The mills, for their part, cited crippling financial losses that were compounded by high borrowing costs and a worsening fuel deficit.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
The nation, which has been under the rule of a theocratic authoritarian government since the Iranian Revolution of 1979, faced a round of widespread protests beginning in December over worsening economic conditions, including rising inflation and the collapse of the Iranian rial.
—Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
If your skin reaction is severe, worsening, persistent, or associated with allergy symptoms, get prompt medical attention.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2026
Over three years of follow-up, people who received the higher dose of the treatment showed slower worsening of their movement and daily functioning than a control group that did not receive the therapy.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
According to IQAir, a number of natural weather and human phenomena can contribute to the air quality worsening.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
According to Shah, the rise in gestational diabetes can be attributed to the worsening of health in young adults throughout the country.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
In a series of stunning, large trials, researchers established that these drugs lowered blood glucose, delayed the worsening of kidney disease, and were strongly correlated with reduced risk of several cardiac conditions.
—Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
The figures suggest that Americans are increasingly wary of high costs and sluggish job gains, with perceptions of the labor market worsening, the survey found.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025
In the old tool, the factors weren’t measured by a worsening, neutral or improving score.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
Potential complications include sinus and ear infections; inflammation of the heart, brain or muscle tissues; multi-organ failure; sepsis or the worsening of chronic conditions like asthma.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
Some sources say that the need to refocus on defense investment in light of the rising tensions with Russia and worsening relations with the United States, a once-key ally, are forcing the UK government to slash budgets.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Several Maryland school systems announced early dismissals Friday as forecasters warned of worsening weather conditions later in the day.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
The attack reflects Nigeria’s worsening security crisis as extremist groups expand operations southward from northern strongholds, challenging government authority across the nation.
—Pelumi Salako, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
The third might buy time but at the cost of leaving the market undersupplied with term credit, and with the fundamental fiscal problem still worsening as deficits compound and debt service consumes an ever-larger share of federal outlays.
—Daniel J. Arbess, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Her situation is one of the first visible effects of the cuts being made to respond to a worsening budget outlook.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The announcement comes as Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy and logistics infrastructure, worsening conditions for civilians as winter temperatures plunge.
—Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
The mills, for their part, cited crippling financial losses that were compounded by high borrowing costs and a worsening fuel deficit.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
The nation, which has been under the rule of a theocratic authoritarian government since the Iranian Revolution of 1979, faced a round of widespread protests beginning in December over worsening economic conditions, including rising inflation and the collapse of the Iranian rial.
—Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsening
Noun
-
To be sure, the deterioration in human rights protections predates Trump’s return to office.—
Philippe Bolopion,
Time,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Why Gasket Maintenance Is Essential A dirty gasket leads to deterioration of the seal, which can cause temperature fluctuations, spoiled food, and bacterial growth.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Another 2024 study published in Biology found that adults who did strength training had a lower biological age—suggesting that their bodies were deteriorating more slowly than is typical for their chronological age.—
Jamie Friedlander Serrano,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
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There are five other main characters with rapidly deteriorating lives that deserve our attention, but what is a recapper to do?—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Economic growth fueled by foreign borrowing created an illusion of stability that concealed deepening structural decay.—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The sherry ties everything together, deepening the fruit and caramel notes without overpowering.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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France said an agreement between states with the biggest nuclear arsenals was crucial, at a time when there is an unprecedented weakening of nuclear norms.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, a parade of economic data released Thursday seemed to suggest a sharper weakening of the labor market than analysts had expected.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With ceilings crumbling and utilities failing, residents are looking to the courts to intervene.—
Elle McLogan,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Louvre Museum tightens security measures News of the robbery shocked the world and sparked criticism over the museum's inadequate security and crumbling infrastructure.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The guidance was a sharp contrast to rival Novo Nordisk A/S, which warned investors Tuesday that its sales could drop as much as 13% this year on intensifying price competition in the weight loss market.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
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Declining advertising revenue and intensifying competition have pushed companies to accelerate cost-cutting moves and restructure plans across the industry.—
Suzy Khimm,
NBC news,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The report claimed these changes were made to minimize the city and fire department’s failings.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Foster acknowledged state efforts to hold the district accountable have at times been justified, including in 2023 when TEA investigated chronic failings in the district’s special education department.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to the Iowa Cancer Registry, lung cancer incidence rates are declining slower in Iowa than in other states.—
Cami Koons,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Measles-vaccination rates have been steadily declining for several years; since last January, the country has logged its two largest measles epidemics in more than three decades.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsening. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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