WORSENS Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

worsens

verb

present tense third-person singular of worsen

as in deteriorates

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

as in deepens

to make more severe the harsh winter only worsened the fuel shortage

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of worsens The noise progresses to a rough grinding sound and performance worsens. — Keith Laing, USA Today, 8 July 2026 Once the finish is damaged, stains cling more easily, leading people to scrub even harder, which worsens the problem. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026 From Montesquieu’s perspective, polarization worsens this appetite for disregarding constitutional norms. — Robert A. Ballingall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 Oven buildup worsens over time, especially with roasting or broiling. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 2 July 2026 Dust can make your living spaces look neglected, but more importantly, the debris feeds dust mites and worsens allergies. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 July 2026 Alcohol worsens sleep quality and dehydrates the body, while caffeine has a diuretic effect that encourages fluid loss and can raise body temperature. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 The problem worsens when residents keep windows closed at night for safety, effectively turning homes into ovens. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026 Crowding behavior usually worsens during busier travel seasons, too, causing additional confusion around where the lines begin and end during boarding. — Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsens

Verb

In Gosha’s case, that involves getting mixed up with gangsters at a seedy nightclub, a sequence that quickly deteriorates from being mildly comical to sinister to outright terrifying by even degrees.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026
Teams remain busy while the quality of decisions quietly deteriorates.

— Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of deteriorates

Verb

That one of the country’s most dynamic cities sits minutes away only deepens the appeal.

— Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Families and physicians warn that uprooting residents with Alzheimer’s can trigger dangerous decline, while a severe shortage of specialized beds in the South Bay deepens a looming public health crisis.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of deepens

Verb

Just as a group of carefree New York City twentysomethings (including Mike Vogel and Lizzy Caplan) gathers to celebrate one of their friend’s impending move westward, a creature the size of the Empire State Building descends on the city.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
Finally comes the terminal phase, when the warhead re-enters the atmosphere and descends toward its target.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026

Definition of descends

Verb

Indeed, the administration’s assault on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act intensifies the damage.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
If employees are expected to produce the same output in less time without better systems in place, the pressure simply intensifies.

— Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 30 June 2026

Definition of intensifies

Verb

Jordan Smith argued that Costco’s plan to change into a business center complicates the city’s goals for midtown, which is seeing hundreds of new apartments built in the area.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026
This complicates enemy targeting because intelligence gathered at one moment may become outdated once a launcher moves.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026

Definition of complicates

Verb

Car registrations and titles can now be issued electronically, and some DMV documentation will be sent via email, unless the driver declines to provide an address.

— Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026
As Medicaid coverage declines, more people become uninsured or underinsured.

— Sas Mukherjee, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of declines

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worsening

worsens

worship

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“Worsens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsens. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of worsens

verb

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