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
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
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
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
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
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
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
-
Work being done to reduce ponding, draining issues Jason Molinero, the deputy director of the Allegheny County Department of Public Works, said ponding and draining issues are frequent on Campbells Run Road, eventually eating away at pavement and causing premature deterioration.—
Chilekasi Adele,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The Best Freezer Storage Tips Practice good storage techniques to maximize the time foods can be kept in the freezer to prevent deterioration.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Officials said that the food security situation is deteriorating because of water shortages, insecurity, conflict and historically low levels of humanitarian assistance linked to global funding cuts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Human rights groups in Senegal say that the situation for gay people in the country has been deteriorating since 2018, and that at least a dozen people have been arrested in recent weeks over allegations of homosexuality.—
Ope Adetayo,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Indeed, the companies’ deepening relationship points to confidence that smart glasses can be a goldmine and any differences can be worked out.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
His latest proposal would involve deepening ties between the European Union and the CPTPP, a Pacific trade organization.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 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
-
The New Terms As the physical retail landscape transforms, the battle for the Kingdom’s digital consumer is intensifying too.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The White House has flexed its muscles across the Caribbean in recent months, capturing the president of Venezuela, intensifying an embargo on Cuba, and striking alleged drug-trafficking vessels.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Many of the failings against Monaco — and there were plenty — have been recurring motifs in recent months.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Read Credit Suisse’s own post-mortem report on its Archegos failings, prepared by law firm Paul Weiss.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
During his speech on Tuesday, the President suggested that those prices were declining.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Chelsea have carried significant operating losses in recent years, topping £200m in each of the three seasons before last, as declining revenues combined with significant cost increases.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsening. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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