as in deterioration
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1
as in deteriorating
to become worse or of less value
the condition of the house worsened with every year of neglect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deepening
to make more severe
the harsh winter only worsened the fuel shortage
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Recent Examples of worsening
George Avalos, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
Two of the people with MS, including Miller, have progressive MS, a form of the disease marked by gradual worsening of neurological function and disabilities over time.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
With America’s loneliness epidemic worsening, there’s a real risk of suicide rates continuing to rise.
—Sam Manzella, Flow Space, 5 Mar. 2026
Homelessness in Detroit Detroit’s homelessness crisis is both long-standing and worsening.
—Deyanira Nevárez Martínez, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Studies show that up to 70% of women report a significant worsening of ADHD symptoms during perimenopause, yet almost none of them were told this would happen.
—Sarah Oreck, SELF, 2 Mar. 2026
Those protests began in Tehran in late December in response to the collapse of the Iranian currency and the worsening of economic conditions, and then quickly took on a political character -- with crowds on the streets openly calling for regime change.
—Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2026
If your skin reaction is severe, worsening, persistent, or associated with allergy symptoms, get prompt medical attention.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2026
Over three years of follow-up, people who received the higher dose of the treatment showed slower worsening of their movement and daily functioning than a control group that did not receive the therapy.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 1 May 2026
However, many of his former clients later sued him on allegations of fraud and several of them have criticized him for allegedly worsening the boxing climate.
—PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
The hope is that the data will help doctors determine effective treatment options faster to reduce worsening disease advancement.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Our new report shows why mining will end up worsening the lives of some of the world’s poorest people if critical mineral supply chains are not monitored and regulated.
—Abraham Nunbogu, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
The potential presence of immigration officers is worsening things for Europeans.
—Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 29 Apr. 2026
Cost-effective robotic assistance could prove welcome for Japan’s airports, which have struggled with a worsening human labor shortage.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
Oil revenue is the linchpin of Russia’s economy, allowing Putin to pour money into the armed forces without worsening inflation for everyday people and avoiding a currency collapse.
—Karel Janicek, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Oil revenue is the linchpin of Russia’s economy, allowing Putin to pour money into the armed forces without worsening inflation for everyday people and avoiding a currency collapse.
—Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
The South Bay has been able to absorb thousands of layoffs yet still avoid a worsening of the jobless rate in the region, Hancock noted.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
Two of the people with MS, including Miller, have progressive MS, a form of the disease marked by gradual worsening of neurological function and disabilities over time.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
With America’s loneliness epidemic worsening, there’s a real risk of suicide rates continuing to rise.
—Sam Manzella, Flow Space, 5 Mar. 2026
Homelessness in Detroit Detroit’s homelessness crisis is both long-standing and worsening.
—Deyanira Nevárez Martínez, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Studies show that up to 70% of women report a significant worsening of ADHD symptoms during perimenopause, yet almost none of them were told this would happen.
—Sarah Oreck, SELF, 2 Mar. 2026
Those protests began in Tehran in late December in response to the collapse of the Iranian currency and the worsening of economic conditions, and then quickly took on a political character -- with crowds on the streets openly calling for regime change.
—Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2026
If your skin reaction is severe, worsening, persistent, or associated with allergy symptoms, get prompt medical attention.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2026
Over three years of follow-up, people who received the higher dose of the treatment showed slower worsening of their movement and daily functioning than a control group that did not receive the therapy.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
Many Americans feel financially squeezed — over half say their finances are worsening, according to a recent Gallup poll, the highest since 2001.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 1 May 2026
However, many of his former clients later sued him on allegations of fraud and several of them have criticized him for allegedly worsening the boxing climate.
—PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
The hope is that the data will help doctors determine effective treatment options faster to reduce worsening disease advancement.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Our new report shows why mining will end up worsening the lives of some of the world’s poorest people if critical mineral supply chains are not monitored and regulated.
—Abraham Nunbogu, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
The potential presence of immigration officers is worsening things for Europeans.
—Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 29 Apr. 2026
Cost-effective robotic assistance could prove welcome for Japan’s airports, which have struggled with a worsening human labor shortage.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
Oil revenue is the linchpin of Russia’s economy, allowing Putin to pour money into the armed forces without worsening inflation for everyday people and avoiding a currency collapse.
—Karel Janicek, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Oil revenue is the linchpin of Russia’s economy, allowing Putin to pour money into the armed forces without worsening inflation for everyday people and avoiding a currency collapse.
—Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsening
Noun
-
Over the last decade, the parish began to lose these buildings to age, mold and deterioration.—
Desiree Mathurin
April 28,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Swiss Eugen Bleuler, a follower of Kraepelin, replaced the term dementia praecox, which implied hopeless deterioration, with the softer term schizophrenia.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The poll also points to broader economic malaise; 55% of Americans say recent price increases have led to financial hardship, and the same number say their financial situation is deteriorating.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In all cases, companies are reporting a surge in oil trading activity, tempered somewhat by the deteriorating outlook for natural gas production, stemming from Iranian air strikes severely damaging crucial gas production sites in the Gulf.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These spillover effects are deepening an arc of instability stretching from Europe to the Middle East, from Africa to Asia.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
While announcing Jacobson’s hiring, Stagwell said her responsibilities will include expanding ReachTV’s footprint and deepening its content partnerships.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Also, the evidence points to a weakening of the AMOC, but not a complete collapse.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The legislation, which will be challenged in court, indicates a weakening of Lula’s position in Congress ahead of his bid for reelection in the country’s October presidential election.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The buildings, visibly crumbling in the salty environment of San Francisco Bay, needed major repairs.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Replays showed Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway brushing Crosby's face with his stick before a defensive zone faceoff and the Penguins center crumbling to the ice.—
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Once free of quota constraints, the Emirates can up its production by more than 40% to 5 million barrels per day, intensifying competition in markets where sub-Saharan Africa’s higher-cost producers are already vulnerable.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The market value of media and entertainment stocks remains suppressed, however, amid intensifying competition from tech and streaming companies.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Now it had been relegated again to a leftist cause, a symbol of anti-imperial resistance for some and the face of communism’s failings for others.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Reports in 2024 and 2025 indicated declining health, including low blood pressure, dizziness and heart problems, but these claims could not be independently verified.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Now these countries, like much of the world, are facing declining birth rates that threaten to upend their economies.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsening. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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