worse off
adjective
1
: having less money and possessions : less wealthy
He was worse off financially than he was before.
2
: in a worse position
If you quit school, you will be worse off.
Examples of worse off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Dombrowski, like Breslow, is more responsible than his manager for the failings of his club, which ended its 10-game losing streak on Saturday night but still is worse off than the Red Sox at 9-18.
—
Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
If successful, the effort would leave farmers and the environment worse off.
—Dan Blaustein-Rejto, Washington Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Only two 1934 Dust Bowl-era months were worse off.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Only two 1934 Dust Bowl-era months were worse off.
—Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
On social media, the two cities’ similarly rabid fanbases have debated which team is worse off 11 years removed from the 2015 World Series — won by the Royals — and why.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
Idaho’s students and the dedicated professionals who teach them will be worse off because of his choice.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 10 Apr. 2026
This week The New York Times asked if wokeness left us worse off.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026
His notion of the best of all worlds was a state in which no one could be made better off without making someone else worse off.
—George G. Szpiro, Big Think, 9 Apr. 2026
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Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
If successful, the effort would leave farmers and the environment worse off.
—Dan Blaustein-Rejto, Washington Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Only two 1934 Dust Bowl-era months were worse off.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Only two 1934 Dust Bowl-era months were worse off.
—Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
On social media, the two cities’ similarly rabid fanbases have debated which team is worse off 11 years removed from the 2015 World Series — won by the Royals — and why.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
Idaho’s students and the dedicated professionals who teach them will be worse off because of his choice.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 10 Apr. 2026
This week The New York Times asked if wokeness left us worse off.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026
His notion of the best of all worlds was a state in which no one could be made better off without making someone else worse off.
—George G. Szpiro, Big Think, 9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worse off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worse%20off. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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