worsen

verb

wors·​en ˈwər-sᵊn How to pronounce worsen (audio)
worsened; worsening
ˈwərs-niŋ, 
ˈwər-sᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce worsen (audio)
Synonyms of worsennext

transitive verb

: to make worse

intransitive verb

: to become worse
the weather began to worsen

Synonyms of worsen

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Examples of worsen in a Sentence

Spending more money is only going to worsen the problem. the condition of the house worsened with every year of neglect
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Building more captive coal for aluminum will worsen the toxic haze that often blankets Southeast Asian cities, like Jakarta, according to Muhammad Al Amin, with the Indonesian Forum for Environment. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Venezuela’s oil output began to stagnate, a situation which worsened further after the coup attempt of April 2002. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 After becoming a daily fixture in the 1990s, blackouts have worsened since 2024, when Cuba’s ancient power grid began to collapse and Soviet-era electrical stations began failing more frequently. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026 As Western forces withdraw and violence spreads in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, analysts warn these Russian security deals deepen dependence on Moscow while failing to reverse the region’s worsening instability. — Chinedu Asadu, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for worsen

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of worsen was in the 13th century

Rhymes for worsen

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Browse Nearby Words

worsement
worsen
worseness
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Cite this Entry

“Worsen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worsen. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

worsen

verb
wors·​en ˈwərs-ᵊn How to pronounce worsen (audio)
worsened; worsening ˈwərs-niŋ How to pronounce worsen (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become worse
the weather worsened
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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