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
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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
Sam Manzella, Flow Space, 5 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
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
Erika Gonzalez, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
But relations aren’t exclusively sour — Trump has in the past few days kept EU tariff rates at 10% rather than rising to 15% — and Godard said this could have a bearing on the Paramount-WBD deal’s regulatory path, along with fear over future, worsening tariffs.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
If common ground isn’t found, the federal government will be forced to intervene, which will most definitely trigger a flood of lengthy state litigations, only prolonging and worsening the crisis.
—Pete McBride, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
The worsening memory crisis could see the global PC and smartphone markets shrink by 11% and 13% respectively, according to a report from the International Data Corporation.
—Matthew Chin, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
For weeks, according to Valero Marcano and a habeas corpus petition seeking the family’s release, Amalia struggled with worsening respiratory symptoms.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Somerset County commissioners approved new benefits for volunteer firefighters and pledged additional incentives as officials confront a worsening recruitment shortage and tensions following a county takeover of EMS services.
—Josh Davis, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2026
The wind, combined with humidity levels at 30 to 35 percent, with worsening drought conditions, is contributing to critical fire danger.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026
His lab results were worsening.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026
Noun
With America’s loneliness epidemic worsening, there’s a real risk of suicide rates continuing to rise.
—Sam Manzella, Flow Space, 5 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
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
Verb
Beyond the confrontation at sea, Cuba is still grappling with a worsening economic crisis.
—Erika Gonzalez, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
But relations aren’t exclusively sour — Trump has in the past few days kept EU tariff rates at 10% rather than rising to 15% — and Godard said this could have a bearing on the Paramount-WBD deal’s regulatory path, along with fear over future, worsening tariffs.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
If common ground isn’t found, the federal government will be forced to intervene, which will most definitely trigger a flood of lengthy state litigations, only prolonging and worsening the crisis.
—Pete McBride, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
The worsening memory crisis could see the global PC and smartphone markets shrink by 11% and 13% respectively, according to a report from the International Data Corporation.
—Matthew Chin, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
For weeks, according to Valero Marcano and a habeas corpus petition seeking the family’s release, Amalia struggled with worsening respiratory symptoms.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Somerset County commissioners approved new benefits for volunteer firefighters and pledged additional incentives as officials confront a worsening recruitment shortage and tensions following a county takeover of EMS services.
—Josh Davis, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2026
The wind, combined with humidity levels at 30 to 35 percent, with worsening drought conditions, is contributing to critical fire danger.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026
His lab results were worsening.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsening
Noun
-
Han’s overarching argument is that the deterioration of our social fabric is due to ritual evaporating from everyday life.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
-
While virtually every major project targets South Beach, deterioration has begun in Normandy Isle, to the north.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Attorneys argue Colin Gray's accountability for shooting Prosecutors argued that Colin Gray gave his son the weapon used in the shooting and ammunition despite multiple warning signs that the boy's mental state was deteriorating.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The supervisors voted more than four years ago to shut down Men’s Central Jail, a downtown facility notorious for dangerous and deteriorating conditions, without building a replacement.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Following talks in the Indian capital, the two countries’ prime ministers inked a deal deepening rare-earths cooperation, and pledged to double bilateral trade by the end of the decade.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
-
After the Ukraine grid attacks of the mid 2010s, several European states accelerated cybersecurity investment, improving network segmentation, expanding backup capacity and deepening information sharing with private infrastructure operators.—
Andrew Latham,
The Conversation,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At that point, governments and industry execs were not yet backtracking, weakening regulations, re-engining trucks, canceling battery deals or bringing back big, thirsty V8s.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Artificial gravity wards against the dangers of microgravity, including bone loss, muscle wasting, heart weakening, and eye destabilization.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Iran's economy was crumbling, due in large part to stringent Western sanctions, fueling more unrest.—
Jackie Northam,
NPR,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The Howard County School Board voted on its 2027 fiscal year budget and finalized future spending plans, but families are concerned about the crumbling schools that have been forgotten.—
Bryant Reed,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And right here in Florida, intensifying disasters and disinformation combine to endanger our lives, damage our livelihoods, threaten our military communities and divide our citizens.—
Michael Chertoff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The Korean studio’s upcoming slate suggests its awards ambitions and international goals are only intensifying.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In Islamic ethical and theological usage, amanat denotes not only material custody but also the faithful discharge of obligations and promises, and betrayal of amanat is viewed as a serious ethical failing.—
Anel Rakhimzhanova,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
-
If Iranians haven’t risen up to seize control by then, that could be portrayed as their failing, not Trump’s.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Iranian retaliatory attacks appear to be declining — ballistic missile strikes have fallen by 90% and drone attacks by 83%, according to US Central Command — potentially easing pressure on Gulf states that have faced Iranian strikes in recent days.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of coming from declining direct-to-home satellite taxes, the money would come directly from state sales and use taxes.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsening. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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