worsen

verb

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

intransitive verb

: to become worse
the weather began to worsen

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 People who had worsening metabolic syndrome were twice as likely to develop breast cancer, more than three times as likely to develop endometrial cancer, 4.5 times more likely to develop kidney cancer, and about 1.6 times more likely to develop liver cancer compared to the low and stable group. Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 23 Mar. 2024 Additionally, symptoms may worsen over time if left untreated. The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2024 Landmark regulations intended to protect millions of California workers from worsening heat conditions in warehouses and other indoor facilities were left in limbo Thursday after the Newsom administration objected to the cost of the rules. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Democrats said the bill would worsen the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 But with climate change whipping up worsening disasters and countries falling behind on goals to reduce planet-heating pollution, some scientists see solar geoengineering as a possible contingency plan. Justine Calma, The Verge, 21 Mar. 2024 Anti-war candidates were blocked from the ballot and the election was held amid a worsening crackdown that has seen even minor public expressions of dissent punished with fines and prison sentences. Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2024 Average mortgage rates have more than doubled and further worsened affordability. Josh Boak, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 But in some ways, her exploitation has only worsened in the decades since her passing. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'worsen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near worsen

Cite this Entry

“Worsen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worsen. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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