as in deterioration
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1
as in deteriorating
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
2
as in deepening
to make more severe
the harsh winter only worsened the fuel shortage
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Recent Examples of worsening
Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2026
Over three years of follow-up, people who received the higher dose of the treatment showed slower worsening of their movement and daily functioning than a control group that did not receive the therapy.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
According to IQAir, a number of natural weather and human phenomena can contribute to the air quality worsening.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
According to Shah, the rise in gestational diabetes can be attributed to the worsening of health in young adults throughout the country.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
In a series of stunning, large trials, researchers established that these drugs lowered blood glucose, delayed the worsening of kidney disease, and were strongly correlated with reduced risk of several cardiac conditions.
—Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
The figures suggest that Americans are increasingly wary of high costs and sluggish job gains, with perceptions of the labor market worsening, the survey found.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025
In the old tool, the factors weren’t measured by a worsening, neutral or improving score.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
Potential complications include sinus and ear infections; inflammation of the heart, brain or muscle tissues; multi-organ failure; sepsis or the worsening of chronic conditions like asthma.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2026
The five preceding episodes depicted Louie’s worsening health, with Harden keeping a dignified smile on Louie’s face but also moving a little slower and admitting to more pain.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
Drought conditions across the region, however, are worsening.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Follow along for live updates The 35-year-old snowboard cross specialist suffered a serious fall at training on Monday and reported worsening neck pain on Tuesday.
—Reuters, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
The 35-year-old snowboard cross specialist crashed on Monday and reported worsening neck pain after waking up on Tuesday, the Australian Olympic Committee said.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
Ironically, the funds are earmarked for homeless programs, but by reducing housing construction and driving up rents, Measure ULA arguably is worsening the city’s homeless situation.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Lower rates would give the economy and financial markets a boost, though at the cost of potentially worsening inflation.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Several Maryland school systems announced early dismissals Friday as forecasters warned of worsening weather conditions later in the day.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
If your skin reaction is severe, worsening, persistent, or associated with allergy symptoms, get prompt medical attention.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2026
Over three years of follow-up, people who received the higher dose of the treatment showed slower worsening of their movement and daily functioning than a control group that did not receive the therapy.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
According to IQAir, a number of natural weather and human phenomena can contribute to the air quality worsening.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
According to Shah, the rise in gestational diabetes can be attributed to the worsening of health in young adults throughout the country.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
In a series of stunning, large trials, researchers established that these drugs lowered blood glucose, delayed the worsening of kidney disease, and were strongly correlated with reduced risk of several cardiac conditions.
—Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
The figures suggest that Americans are increasingly wary of high costs and sluggish job gains, with perceptions of the labor market worsening, the survey found.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025
In the old tool, the factors weren’t measured by a worsening, neutral or improving score.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
Potential complications include sinus and ear infections; inflammation of the heart, brain or muscle tissues; multi-organ failure; sepsis or the worsening of chronic conditions like asthma.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
Gripped by a worsening economic crisis, Cuba’s government recently adopted rationing measures to protect essential services and ration fuel supplies for key sectors.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2026
The five preceding episodes depicted Louie’s worsening health, with Harden keeping a dignified smile on Louie’s face but also moving a little slower and admitting to more pain.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
Drought conditions across the region, however, are worsening.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Follow along for live updates The 35-year-old snowboard cross specialist suffered a serious fall at training on Monday and reported worsening neck pain on Tuesday.
—Reuters, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
The 35-year-old snowboard cross specialist crashed on Monday and reported worsening neck pain after waking up on Tuesday, the Australian Olympic Committee said.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
Ironically, the funds are earmarked for homeless programs, but by reducing housing construction and driving up rents, Measure ULA arguably is worsening the city’s homeless situation.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Lower rates would give the economy and financial markets a boost, though at the cost of potentially worsening inflation.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Several Maryland school systems announced early dismissals Friday as forecasters warned of worsening weather conditions later in the day.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsening
Noun
-
The report identifies three massive, offsetting policy developments as the primary drivers of this fiscal deterioration.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The complaint includes several photographs of deterioration and hazards.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In addition to default notices, a group of commercial property owners at Blackhawk Plaza have filed a lawsuit in Contra Costa County Superior Court that paints a picture of deteriorating conditions at the once-vibrant shopping center.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Harris said the mad dash to achieve human-level AI could create harmful incentives for unchecked growth, ultimately deteriorating safety, security, and economic well-being.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Moving forward, Sourisse sees the business deepening its roots in Asia, citing Southeast Asia’s Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, and East Asia’s China, Japan and South Korea as markets to watch.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
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As a catalyst, the analyst wrote that SoFi is building a durable, multi-year compounding business by deepening primary customer relationships that drive higher lifetime value, lower acquisition costs and broader cross-selling.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Most officials are expecting slowing hiring coupled with a low level of layoffs that, rather than suggesting a material weakening, point more to stabilization.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
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But a weakening of the job market, on the other hand, could push it to resume cuts more quickly.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With ceilings crumbling and utilities failing, residents are looking to the courts to intervene.—
Elle McLogan,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Louvre Museum tightens security measures News of the robbery shocked the world and sparked criticism over the museum's inadequate security and crumbling infrastructure.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This causes the outer layers of the star to expand and cool, evolving into a red giant, while the interior of the core heats up, intensifying the rate of fusion within it.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
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Frydnes acknowledged that awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to individuals facing persecution can carry risks, potentially intensifying pressure against them.—
Jomana Karadsheh,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The report claimed these changes were made to minimize the city and fire department’s failings.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Feb. 2026
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Foster acknowledged state efforts to hold the district accountable have at times been justified, including in 2023 when TEA investigated chronic failings in the district’s special education department.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to the Iowa Cancer Registry, lung cancer incidence rates are declining slower in Iowa than in other states.—
Cami Koons,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Measles-vaccination rates have been steadily declining for several years; since last January, the country has logged its two largest measles epidemics in more than three decades.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsening. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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