WORSENED Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

worsened

verb

past tense of worsen

as in deteriorated

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

as in aggravated

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 worsened Now a controversial study claims that working from home worsened mental health. — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 2 July 2026 However, over the weekend, Makan's care team noticed his illness had rapidly worsened. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Rising global energy prices have worsened the situation. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 25 June 2026 From there, his symptoms worsened, and in October 2024, Wilks was hospitalized. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 The American pope has prioritized church unity and healing tensions with traditionalists that worsened during the Pope Francis pontificate. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 The consecrations amounted to a crisis for Leo, who has prioritized church unity and healing tensions with traditionalists that worsened during Pope Francis’ pontificate. — Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 As a result of the energy and health crisis, which worsened in January when subsidized fuel deliveries to the island were suspended, nearly 100,000 surgeries have been postponed, according to the United Nations. — Sarah Moreno july 1, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 Critically, legislators inadvertently worsened the situation by deactivating accounts, thereby dismantling existing parental controls developed by Apple and Google. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsened

Verb

Israel and Turkey were once close allies, but ties deteriorated after Erdogan, whose party is rooted in Turkey’s Islamic movement, came to power.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
The situation in Haiti has deteriorated since armed groups took control of most of Port-au-Prince in 2024.

— Tirana Hassan, Time, 26 June 2026

Definition of deteriorated

Verb

Chicago police said Lance Cunningham, 24, is facing felony charges, including multiple counts of reckless homicide and aggravated DUI.

— Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 30 June 2026
In August 2023, Shirilla was convicted of murder, felonious assault, aggravated vehicular homicide, drug possession, and criminal tools possession (psilocybin mushrooms and a scale were found at the crime scene).

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 June 2026

Definition of aggravated

Verb

Today Twain would be startled by the passivity of a once-mighty Congress that has all but crumbled in the face of pressure from the White House.

— Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
The Venezuelan government had housed them in a building in La Guaira that crumbled.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026

Definition of crumbled

Verb

Ukraine has intensified strikes on Russian energy infrastructure ‌this year, causing fuel shortages in parts of Russia.

— Reuters, NBC news, 4 July 2026
Gymshark’s growth has slowed as competition has intensified and consumers have become more cautious about spending.

— Robert Olsen, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of intensified

Verb

Nearby, groups descended on a shopping center on 32nd Street, emptying trash cans and tossing merchandise from the Pavilions grocery store into the parking lot.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
For decades, the top players in the sport have descended on this town in upstate New York known for its mineral springs and top-notch horse racing.

— Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of descended

Verb

The location for the bronze statue on the Wimbledon grounds hasn't been announced and Williams-Ellis declined to offer specifics about the pose.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
In doing so, Valdez, like fellow successful DSA New York Congressional candidate Avila Chevalier, declined to endorse Jeffries as minority leader or even Speaker if the Democrats take back the House.

— Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 4 July 2026

Definition of declined

Verb

Ideally, costs are allocated to the customers who cause them, but that can be complicated to determine.

— Theodore J. Kury, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
But the private sector’s unifying ambitions have been met with a mixed response, complicated by an uneasy national mood.

— James Pollard, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of complicated

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“Worsened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsened. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of worsened

verb

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