1
as in deteriorates
to become worse or of less value
the condition of the house worsened with every year of neglect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deepens
to make more severe
the harsh winter only worsened the fuel shortage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Doctors monitor progression and severity of the disease by measuring the size of the left ventricle, the heart’s muscle that pumps blood to the body, which shrinks as the condition worsens.
—
Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Feb. 2026
Software stock slide worsens on AI fears US software stocks sank further Tuesday on swelling investor fears that new AI tools will eat their lunch.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The mom-to-be’s condition rapidly worsens, with Addison convincing Amelia — again reluctantly — to restore her privileges and scrub in.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
The organization urges residents to step forward and help restore the local blood supply before the impact worsens.
—Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
This regulatory cost worsens affordability.
—Brad Hunter, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Miscommunication erodes trust and worsens health.
—Crystal Cene, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
That kind of improvement could help avoid a worst-case scenario the Fed has been desperate to avoid, one where expectations for high inflation trigger a vicious cycle of behavior that only worsens inflation.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Both Lago and Iglesias describe the move as taking control of the city’s future, protecting residents from the possibility of rising garbage and disposal fees as the county’s waste crisis worsens.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Feb. 2026
Software stock slide worsens on AI fears US software stocks sank further Tuesday on swelling investor fears that new AI tools will eat their lunch.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The mom-to-be’s condition rapidly worsens, with Addison convincing Amelia — again reluctantly — to restore her privileges and scrub in.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
The organization urges residents to step forward and help restore the local blood supply before the impact worsens.
—Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
This regulatory cost worsens affordability.
—Brad Hunter, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Miscommunication erodes trust and worsens health.
—Crystal Cene, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
That kind of improvement could help avoid a worst-case scenario the Fed has been desperate to avoid, one where expectations for high inflation trigger a vicious cycle of behavior that only worsens inflation.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Both Lago and Iglesias describe the move as taking control of the city’s future, protecting residents from the possibility of rising garbage and disposal fees as the county’s waste crisis worsens.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsens
Verb
-
Europe is tightening the net on Russian oil being shipped through its waters, squeezing Moscow’s ability to fund its war even as officials and business executives in Russia fear the window is narrowing to reach a peace deal before the economy deteriorates.—
Catherine Belton,
Washington Post,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Emily Demirdonder, director of operations and marketing at Proximity Plumbing, said the rubber backing deteriorates in hot water and breaks apart during the spin cycle, and those fragments can block drain pumps and drainage pipes—sometimes leading to flooding and machine failure.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This, in turn, deepens the impression of Downtown as a dangerous place.—
Emily Galvin Almanza,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Set during the Second Intifada, the shows how the two kids form a bond that deepens under the guidance of Dan, a 30-year-old former surf champion who becomes their mentor.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As a small rural settlement is swiftly and ruthlessly stripped bare by the twin plagues of a diphtheria epidemic and spreading wildfires, the film eventually descends into a near-literal hellscape, though even when pandemonium takes over on screen, Van Dusen’s formal control never wavers.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
As the friends and business rivals debate their level of responsibility and decide on a course of action, the weekend descends into scheming, politicking, and violence.—
Ilana Gordon,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Driving a backup car after crashing in the Duels intensifies Byron’s challenge to three-peat.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Nigerian energy companies have ramped up oil production over the past year as the government intensifies its efforts to restart dormant refineries and monetize untapped gas reserves.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The song was inspired by surviving a toxic relationship, and then finding a true-hearted love that crumbles emotional walls.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Academic success means little if a child crumbles under stress.—
Dr. Mona Amin,
CNBC,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
But Daylight Saving Time complicates that.—
Juwayriah Wright,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Abbington plays Eve, a sharp-witted, slightly off-kilter actress whose obsession with the case pulls her into the investigative orbit and complicates the group dynamic.—
Emiliano de Pablos,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Their research and resulting report, for instance, found that over the past five recessions, the total GDP declines from dips in tourism averaged a 10% dip.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
When the estrogen hormone declines during perimenopause, the body’s insulin sensitivity decreases, too, which affects overall metabolism.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the extreme off-chance that Darnold doesn’t play or aggravates the injury, the Seahawks would call upon Drew Lock, who has just three regular season passing attempts on the year.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Nathan tells him to get in the water in order to fix the hooks and ropes, but Max stands on the Jet Ski instead, which aggravates the bosun.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsens. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
