1
as in deteriorated
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 aggravated
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 worsened
For Lamar, who now has a tattoo on his chest to honor his younger son, the loss also worsened his struggle with addiction.
—
Currie Engel, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
The rapid loss of snow is also affecting the Colorado River, another major water source for Southern California, which has shrunk over the last quarter-century during a megadrought worsened by rising temperatures.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Projections have worsened since Grant-Dawson took control of the finances, with this year’s deficit growing to $170 million since the first interim update.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The reality star and former basketball player's relationship began to fall apart as Odom's drug use worsened.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
Initially, many Christians were willing to give the new authorities a chance but the situation worsened in June after a suicide bombing inside a church outside Damascus killed 25 people and wounded dozens.
—ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
As his condition worsened, Gael grew increasingly distressed and began hitting himself, according to the family’s lawyer, Elora Mukherjee.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
According to Souther, Perrine began experiencing involuntary shaking in 2011 that worsened with the onset of an illness that led to professional and financial difficulties.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
The drought worsened from February into March, the report said, and was expected to deepen after an unseasonably early heat wave.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Currie Engel, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
The rapid loss of snow is also affecting the Colorado River, another major water source for Southern California, which has shrunk over the last quarter-century during a megadrought worsened by rising temperatures.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Projections have worsened since Grant-Dawson took control of the finances, with this year’s deficit growing to $170 million since the first interim update.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The reality star and former basketball player's relationship began to fall apart as Odom's drug use worsened.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
Initially, many Christians were willing to give the new authorities a chance but the situation worsened in June after a suicide bombing inside a church outside Damascus killed 25 people and wounded dozens.
—ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
As his condition worsened, Gael grew increasingly distressed and began hitting himself, according to the family’s lawyer, Elora Mukherjee.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
According to Souther, Perrine began experiencing involuntary shaking in 2011 that worsened with the onset of an illness that led to professional and financial difficulties.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
The drought worsened from February into March, the report said, and was expected to deepen after an unseasonably early heat wave.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsened
Verb
-
Kuo believes the question of unification will inevitably be resolved during Xi’s tenure, but is concerned Xi will opt for a more aggressive approach, such as a blockade or invasion, as relations between Beijing and Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party have deteriorated.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Last week, Narges was finally allowed a brief visit with her sister and two lawyers, who were alarmed at how rapidly her health had deteriorated.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The injury was first reported by the British tabloid, The Sun, which claimed that Turner had aggravated a pre-existing back injury.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Huerta pled guilty in February in Leavenworth County District Court to one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of aggravated endangering a child, according to previous Star reporting.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This story is told by an unnamed narrator, an irreligious woman who has joined the nuns as a lay resident after her faith in environmental advocacy crumbled.—
Robert Rubsam,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Dozens of cars have been trapped in a parking garage since the concrete crumbled on Monday afternoon.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Their experience is raw material, and, for crew members, the passion and memories attached to this raw material are intensified by relations of class and power.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The federal government intensified efforts to expand family detention indefinitely by motioning to terminate a cornerstone policy ensuring the protection of immigrant children in federal custody.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As word spread through the federal bureaucracy Monday that Transportation Security Administration workers were getting some back pay, a collective gloom descended on a Coast Guard administrative office, a Coast Guard worker, who asked not to be identified told NBC News.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
-
According to the Pineview Police Department, the three men descended onto Pippen's South Florida mansion on Sunday.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cooperation between the countries has deepened in recent years, with the North sending troops and conventional weapons to support Russia's war against Ukraine.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Her voice—newly deepened and textured—became the most important instrument in the room, the centerpiece of every song.—
Jackson Howard,
Pitchfork,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ndiaye also declined to clear the ball, instead trying to thread a pass to retreating teammate Jake Dengler inside the 18-yard box.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2026
-
In some places, fish catches declined precipitously in medium depths, which Joye attributes to nutritionally barren conditions.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Activists overseas play a key role in tracking the crackdown, which is complicated by the ongoing internet shutdown imposed early this year during massive nationwide protests against the Islamic theocracy.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Activists overseas play a key role in tracking the crackdown, which is complicated by the internet shutdown imposed earlier this year during massive nationwide protests against the Islamic theocracy.—
Amir Hussein Radjy,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsened. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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