Synonyms

worsen

American

[wur-suhn] / ˈwɜr sən /

verb (used with or without object)

to make or become worse.

Synonyms:

sink, sink, slip, deteriorate, decline, decline

worsen British

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of worsen

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English wersnen “to deteriorate”; worse, -en ¹

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.

Interior Minister Maria Lucia Amaral resigned earlier this week following political criticism of her handling of the worsening conditions, which have left several people dead and caused billions of euros in damage.

From BBC

Rob Smith, the company's chief operating officer, said the company had heard from many RAP users who felt the proposed changes would worsen accessibility rather than improve it.

From BBC

Last month the BBC revealed nearly a quarter of hospital trusts had seen waiting times worsen in the past year.

From BBC

Without careful planning, expanded use could worsen existing health disparities among people living with obesity.

From Science Daily

In 2025, American canceled flights at the highest rate among major U.S. airlines, while its rate of on-time arrivals worsened from the prior year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023