worsen

[ wur-suhn ]

/ ˈwɜr sən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR worsen ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with or without object)

to make or become worse.

Nearby words

worryguts, worrying, worrywart, worse, worse for wear, worsen, worser, worset, worship, worship the ground someone walks on, worshipful

Origin of worsen

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

SYNONYMS FOR worsen

decline, deteriorate, slip, sink.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR worsen ON THESAURUS.COM

Can be confused

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for worsen

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
You couldn't botch it worsen Hammer has, and you might do some good.
Mr. Crewe's Career, Complete|Winston Churchill
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
For the true artistic sense impels one to work always—and always to better and not worsen, what it touches.
The Idler Magazine, Vol III. May 1893|Various
Here and there— there is nothing to better, nothing to worsen.
Thus Spake Zarathustra|Friedrich Nietzsche
It's wanter Systum that's the curse uv Australia; an' Ted's got it worsen most.
The Record of Nicholas Freydon|A. J. (Alec John) Dawson

British Dictionary definitions for worsen

worsen

/ (ˈwɜːsən) /

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

worsen

verb (used with or without object)

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Nearby words

Origin of worsen

SYNONYMS FOR worsen

Can be confused

Examples from the Web for worsen

British Dictionary definitions for worsen

worsen

verb