Showing results for "worse"

• comparative of bad.

worse

American  

[wurs] / wɜrs /

adjective

1. bad or ill in a greater or higher degree; inferior in excellence, quality, or character.

2. more unfavorable or injurious.

3. in less good condition; in poorer health.

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noun

1. that which is worse.

adverb

1. in a more evil, wicked, severe, or disadvantageous manner.

2. with more severity, intensity, etc.; in a greater degree.

worse British  

/ wɜːs /

adjective

1. the comparative of bad 1

2. not harmed by (adverse events or circumstances)

3. 1. shabby or worn

   2. a slang term for drunk

4. informal unhappily; unfortunately

5. (postpositive) in a worse, esp a worse financial, condition

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noun

1. something that is worse

2. into a less desirable or inferior state or condition

   a change for the worse

3. to deteriorate even more

adverb

1. in a more severe or unpleasant manner

2. in a less effective or successful manner

worse Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing worse

• all the (worse)
• bark is worse than one's bite
• fate worse than death
• for better or for worse
• from bad to worse
• if worst comes to worst
• none the worse
• take a turn for the better (worse)
• worst

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Etymology

Origin of worse

First recorded before 900; Middle English (adjective, adverb, and noun); Old English wiersa (comparative adjective), wiers (adverb); cognate with Old Norse verri, Gothic wairsiza; see war ²

Explanation

Worse means "not as good as something else" or "changed negatively," like a sore throat that is getting worse, meaning it hurts more now. Worse comes from the Old Saxon word werran or "to entangle, compound." To compound is to add to, so if troubles, complication, or anything else that entangles are added to a situation, it will get worse. Remember that worse is used to compare two things, such as "now" and "before," while worst compares three or more things. You might use worse than yesterday, but this doesn't make it the worst cold you ever had.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

worse

WSJ: Are there trends that are making things worse?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

"The smell there is worse than the tear gas," Ishan said, laughing.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

For Griffin, even as community support and public awareness have grown, the health risks and business challenges are getting worse as time goes on and the air conditioning remains inoperable.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

But what comes after a shock is often worse than the shock itself.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026

Two days after the accident, he takes a turn for the worse.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman

Related Words

• bad
• poor