worse

[ wurs ]

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.

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

/ wɜːs /

adjective

1. See bad
   the comparative of bad 1
2. none the worse for
   none the worse for not harmed by (adverse events or circumstances)
3. the worse for wear
   the worse for wear
   1. shabby or worn
   2. a slang term for drunk
4. worse luck! informal.
   worse luck! unhappily; unfortunately
5. worse off
   worse off postpositive in a worse, esp a worse financial, condition

noun

1. something that is worse
2. for the worse
   for the worse into a less desirable or inferior state or condition

   a change for the worse

3. go from bad to worse
   go from bad to worse to deteriorate even more

adverb

1. in a more severe or unpleasant manner
2. in a less effective or successful manner

Word History and Origins

Origin of worse¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of worse¹

Old English wiersa; related to Old Frisian werra, Old High German wirsiro, Old Norse verri, Gothic wairsiza

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with worse , also see 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) . Also see under worst .

Example Sentences

I would say that changing Section 230 would actually make those problems even worse, because you’re going to start to provide incentives for platforms to moderate less.

From ProPublica

Though we seemed to crest this wave a few weeks ago, epidemiologists are concerned that the upcoming holiday season and the travel and small gatherings that accompany it, could make the surge even worse.

From Popular-Science

The pandemic has ravaged the local economy and could make the situation even worse.

From Voice of San Diego

If it spreads here, it will make an already-bad situation even worse.

From MIT Technology Review

Meanwhile, climate change is making existing deficiencies worse.

From Washington Post

A Republican candidate hoping to win red state support could find a worse team to root for than one from Dallas.

From The Daily Beast

Among whites, the situation is also bad — in some ways, even worse.

From The Daily Beast

The headaches, fevers (and worse) you may experience on Thursday are nothing new.

From The Daily Beast

Or is it simply that what you are hearing and seeing about race in the media seems worse?

From The Daily Beast

Worse still is how much of this is being made into performance.

From The Daily Beast

Conditions in the new country had gone from bad to worse, and if the season should experience another drought, the worst was come.

From Project Gutenberg

He saw that the situation was worse than even he had bargained for, and all his irresolution began to return upon him.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence, shortage of ammunition and shortage of water, which last was the worse felt to-day.

From Project Gutenberg

“Alas, mon bon Monsieur, it goes from bad to worse,” sighed the old man.

From Project Gutenberg

Lyn was looking at me intently, and her voice was steady; that squeezed kind of steadiness that is almost worse than tears.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bad
• poor