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

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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

Yet as St. Mary argues, the fact that Colorado gladly funds some faith-based schools, not others, makes things worse.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

Americans and Israelis are conjoined by history, for better or worse, and now see each other as distorted reflections, through a glass darkly, as the King James Bible puts it.

From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2026

Prosz doubts the changes will lead to guests leaving properties in a worse state, pointing to Airbnb's mutual review system.

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026

A Ukrainian military officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed concerns that the fighting would be "worse than before" when it resumed.

From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026

And I regret to inform you that it does get worse before it gets better.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

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Related Words

• bad
• poor

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