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
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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
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Recent Examples of worsens
Strong cleaners can leave residue that actually worsens allergy symptoms.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
The funding is aimed at supporting a three-pronged plan put forward by a South End, Roxbury, and Newmarket community working group in February that focuses on getting addicts off the streets, out of jail, and into recovery to avoid the chaos and crowding that worsens there each summer.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Yet city officials estimate that more than 5,000 properties sit empty most of the year, which some advocates argue worsens the city’s housing shortage and affordability crisis.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
This leads to a vicious cycle, as the disease causes sleep disruption, and sleep disruption then worsens the disease, according to the researchers.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Abuse – both verbal and physical – often worsens in pregnancy, according to infant and maternal health nonprofit March of Dimes.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Parkinson’s is a movement disorder that affects the central nervous system and worsens over time, per the Mayo Clinic.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026
And as our credit deteriorates, borrowing gets more expensive, forcing us to borrow more to keep up, which worsens our credit further.
—Bill Conway, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Distress could spread to countries beyond the Gulf if dire conditions prompt residents to flee across borders and infrastructure damage worsens a global oil shock, analysts said.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
The funding is aimed at supporting a three-pronged plan put forward by a South End, Roxbury, and Newmarket community working group in February that focuses on getting addicts off the streets, out of jail, and into recovery to avoid the chaos and crowding that worsens there each summer.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Yet city officials estimate that more than 5,000 properties sit empty most of the year, which some advocates argue worsens the city’s housing shortage and affordability crisis.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
This leads to a vicious cycle, as the disease causes sleep disruption, and sleep disruption then worsens the disease, according to the researchers.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Abuse – both verbal and physical – often worsens in pregnancy, according to infant and maternal health nonprofit March of Dimes.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Parkinson’s is a movement disorder that affects the central nervous system and worsens over time, per the Mayo Clinic.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026
And as our credit deteriorates, borrowing gets more expensive, forcing us to borrow more to keep up, which worsens our credit further.
—Bill Conway, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Distress could spread to countries beyond the Gulf if dire conditions prompt residents to flee across borders and infrastructure damage worsens a global oil shock, analysts said.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsens
Verb
-
Her condition rapidly deteriorates to the point where Abbott and Robby are forced to do a C-Section in the ER, with seconds to spare to save her life and the life of the baby.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Originally staged at Avignon in 2025, the play follows a father and daughter whose bond is tested across the vastness of space as one of them starts a new life on Mars while Earth deteriorates.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The deal with Leikola plays into the strategy and deepens his partnership with ICS.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
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Their unexpected connection propels them on a road trip to San Francisco… As the landscapes shift from the bustling city to serene coastal towns, their relationship deepens, revealing vulnerabilities, regrets and dreams.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Highway descends into chaos after massive 75-vehicle pileup, amid hazardous winter weather.—
,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
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The film is set in the idyllic summer town of Bayleen Bay, which descends into madness when an ice cream man serves kids from his truck with horrifying results.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That intensifies pressure on housing, infrastructure and the environment, Majorca Daily Bulletin reported.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
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Philadelphia is expected to reach 87 on Tuesday before the heat intensifies to a high of 91 later in the week.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Like the impish anti-romance that crumbles around it, the movie’s twist is both transgressive enough to be pleased with itself and also rooted in a reality that refuses to be dismissed as a bad joke.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
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Loyalty, betrayal, illness and war all bear down on the group as the old order crumbles around them.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That complicates the fantasy that classic stoner movies once relied on.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
20 Apr. 2026
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That reality complicates the industry’s fixation on recycling, particularly the push toward closed-loop systems that promise to turn old garments into new ones.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At the same time, the USPS has become increasingly dependent on package delivery as first-class mail declines, making large customers like Amazon even more important.—
Barbara Booth,
CNBC,
19 Apr. 2026
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Brandenburg-Koch declines to talk specifically about the Busfield case.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Flood conditions in Northern Lower Michigan have become increasingly dire in recent days, as heavy rainfall aggravates the winter snowmelt in the region.—
Terrance Friday,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Smoke from wildfires penetrates deep into the lungs and aggravates respiratory disease more than any other type of pollution.—
Becky Upham,
EverydayHealth.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsens. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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