worsen

[wur-suhn]

See more synonyms for worsen on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with or without object)

to make or become worse.

Origin of worsen

First recorded in 1175–1225, worsen is from the Middle English word worsenen. See worse, -en¹

Can be confusedaggravate annoy intensify irritate worsen (see synonym study at aggravate)aggravation annoyance intensification irritation worsening

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

decline, deteriorate, slip, sink.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for worsen

Contemporary Examples

U.S. officials say neither do they want relations with Egypt to worsen.
Mubarak’s Acquittal Signals Complete Triumph of Military Over Arab Spring
Jamie Dettmer
November 29, 2014
These demands can increase at whim, and worsen with the birth of a child.
The Despicable Persistence of the Dowry in India
Nishita Jha
August 4, 2014
FODMAP foods can worsen irritable bowel symptoms for many of the 15 percent of Americans that suffer from the condition.
Pizza Might Be Your Enemy
Daniela Drake
March 9, 2014
But racial bias (and anti-black racism) still exists, individuals still act on it, and it still works to worsen inequality.
Racism Not a Problem Anymore? Don't Be Ridiculous, It's Still a Big Issue
Jamelle Bouie
December 3, 2013
The bad news, he tells us, is that the rise of the machines will only worsen the wage polarization we are seeing today.
Welcome to Tyler Cowen’s Future of Genius Machines
Robert Herritt
September 17, 2013

Historical Examples

Methinks yon lazy Joan might lift one, and be none the worsen.
For the Master's Sake
Emily Sarah Holt
You couldn't botch it worsen Hammer has, and you might do some good.
Mr. Crewe's Career, Complete
Winston Churchill
However, this glittering armour became the Modern yet worsen than his own.
The Battle of the Books
Jonathan Swift
Here and there— there is nothing to better, nothing to worsen.
Thus Spake Zarathustra
Friedrich Nietzsche
I was worsen you afore I struck it; an' now, why, I wouldn't care to call the Queen me aunt!'
The Record of Nicholas Freydon
A. J. (Alec John) Dawson

British Dictionary definitions for worsen

worsen

verb

to grow or cause to grow worse

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for worsen

v.

"to make worse," Old English wyrsian, from the root of worse. The reflexive sense of "to get worse, become worse off" first attested 1795 and elevated into literary use c.1800-30, where formerly worse (v.) had served. Related: Worsened; worsening.

worsen

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}worsen

Synonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for worsen

Contemporary Examples

U.S. officials say neither do they want relations with Egypt to worsen.

These demands can increase at whim, and worsen with the birth of a child.

FODMAP foods can worsen irritable bowel symptoms for many of the 15 percent of Americans that suffer from the condition.

But racial bias (and anti-black racism) still exists, individuals still act on it, and it still works to worsen inequality.

The bad news, he tells us, is that the rise of the machines will only worsen the wage polarization we are seeing today.

Historical Examples

Methinks yon lazy Joan might lift one, and be none the worsen.

You couldn't botch it worsen Hammer has, and you might do some good.

However, this glittering armour became the Modern yet worsen than his own.

Here and there— there is nothing to better, nothing to worsen.

I was worsen you afore I struck it; an' now, why, I wouldn't care to call the Queen me aunt!'

worsen

Word Origin and History for worsen

v.

Origin of worsen