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.
Africa's most populous country will hold the election against a backdrop of worsening economic and security crises that have caused anger among voters against Tinubu's government. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 His relatives called Montes a troubled man whose struggles have worsened since the recent death of his grandmother, who raised him. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026 The 5,000 crew members of the USS Abraham Lincoln have been at sea for 270 days as of Tuesday in one of the longest aircraft carrier deployments in modern history, and families and legislators have warned of a worsening mental health crisis onboard. — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Here's why Treasury yields are continuing to climb, and at a particularly bad time as higher rates worsen the impact of the nearly $40 trillion government debt load. — Sean Conlon,justina Lee,sarah Min, CNBC, 18 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 19 Aug. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on worsen

Nglish: Translation of worsen for Spanish Speakers

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