worsen
verb (used with or without object)
to make or become worse.
had been worsening
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past perfect progressiveof worsen.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He said the issue had been worsening for the past 12 years as spending on buildings has been squeezed.
From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2023
But, his wife and others said, his mental health had been worsening, which had strained the couple’s relationship.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 5, 2023
Varner and other commissioners on Tuesday cited data suggesting that mental health stresses on the state’s young people had been worsening before the pandemic hit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 10, 2021
My Covid-19 patient’s condition had been worsening for weeks, and we had finally recommended to his family that we stop all aggressive interventions.
From New York Times ● Jul. 2, 2021
But the situation which called for this action had been worsening for a long time.
From Time Magazine Archive
