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
Clarissa Brincat, Scientific American, 1 June 2026
However, the incidents have contributed to a worsening of the mood around Madrid and should also be considered notable for that reason.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 5 May 2026
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
Fatma Khaled, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
New pipelines and fossil fuel plants generate millions of dollars for fossil fuel companies and utilities, while locking young people into decades more of pollution and worsening climate change.
—Sydney Collins, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2026
But those jobs are typically low‑wage positions, worsening housing affordability by expanding the pool of workers who struggle to keep up with rising living costs.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
The state will stay dry, worsening drought conditions, but some minor shots of rain are possible between Friday and Sunday over western and southwestern Minnesota.
—Chris Shaffer, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Israel’s ties with Europe and the UN are progressively worsening.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 28 May 2026
The statement opened by warning that worsening hardships on the island are affecting Caribbean nationals studying and living there, and are being exacerbated by the United States’ decades-long embargo.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Contemporary news articles that featured interviews with the surviving passengers detail how one of the ships masts broke during a storm, after which, Cochran began to succumb to a rapidly worsening illness.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 25 May 2026
Several wheat farmers described worsening extremes this year, including the winter's intense and unseasonable heat, late freezes and an ongoing shortage of rain.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
Noun
People with postexertional malaise, the worsening of symptoms following even minor physical or mental exertion, may be at a higher risk for adverse effects from the therapy, Faghy and Putrino point out.
—Clarissa Brincat, Scientific American, 1 June 2026
However, the incidents have contributed to a worsening of the mood around Madrid and should also be considered notable for that reason.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 5 May 2026
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
Verb
The attack in al-Murrah, near contested Barah, underscores RSF’s tightening hold over resource-rich Darfur and Kordofan and the worsening humanitarian crisis engulfing civilians.
—Fatma Khaled, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
New pipelines and fossil fuel plants generate millions of dollars for fossil fuel companies and utilities, while locking young people into decades more of pollution and worsening climate change.
—Sydney Collins, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2026
But those jobs are typically low‑wage positions, worsening housing affordability by expanding the pool of workers who struggle to keep up with rising living costs.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
The state will stay dry, worsening drought conditions, but some minor shots of rain are possible between Friday and Sunday over western and southwestern Minnesota.
—Chris Shaffer, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Israel’s ties with Europe and the UN are progressively worsening.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 28 May 2026
The statement opened by warning that worsening hardships on the island are affecting Caribbean nationals studying and living there, and are being exacerbated by the United States’ decades-long embargo.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Contemporary news articles that featured interviews with the surviving passengers detail how one of the ships masts broke during a storm, after which, Cochran began to succumb to a rapidly worsening illness.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 25 May 2026
Several wheat farmers described worsening extremes this year, including the winter's intense and unseasonable heat, late freezes and an ongoing shortage of rain.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worsening
Noun
-
The global public square has been getting coarser for years, and social media has played a big part in the deterioration.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
1 June 2026
-
The damage required removal of the affected portion in hopes of preventing further deterioration.—
Brian Unger,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
But higher oil prices — particularly if the conflict in the Middle East escalates — or a deteriorating labor market could make the consumer slowdown sharper than currently anticipated.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
-
Raman, who endorsed Bass’ reelection bid only to launch a surprise campaign to unseat her, said the incumbent lacked urgency on an array of issues, including production of new apartments, fixing deteriorating streets and sidewalks, and halting the exodus of entertainment industry jobs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
That’s despite growing appeal as the oldest baby boomers are turning 80 this year and the United States faces a deepening shortage of home care aides, driven by low wages, high turnover and demanding workloads.—
Matt O’Brien,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
Housing costs have soared, deepening affordability worries and homelessness.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
This weakening of currency, combined with inflated jet fuel prices, has also led to one of the country’s major airlines, Air India, to cancel more than a quarter of its international flights between June and August.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
-
Wall Street’s primary concern is competition from Anthropic and OpenAI weakening demand and pricing power for its customer relationship management software, which for years drove robust growth at high margins.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
The fireball expands out and covers the entire launch pad as the fuselage of the rocket can be seen crumbling into the flames.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2026
-
Our work behind the scenes keeps the whole edifice from crumbling—at least for now.—
Pablo Strauss,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
The outrage has reverberated across the country ahead of Wednesday's annual Ni Una Menos protest in downtown Buenos Aires, amplifying demands for government action and intensifying criticism of President Javier Milei.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
-
The outrage has reverberated across the country ahead of Wednesday’s annual Ni Una Menos protest in downtown Buenos Aires, amplifying demands for government action and intensifying criticism of President Javier Milei.—
Isabel Debre,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The director explains that there’s a very real weight stigma that exists in society and that due to that it’s often suggested that being in a larger body is somehow a moral failing.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
-
Mary disrupts Clark’s equilibrium with the Backrooms by refusing to validate his excuses for his behavior, fully calling out his failings, his petty assholery, and his glib, solipsistic lies.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Writers and reporters at the conference are learning how to improve their coverage of topics, including changes to education at the federal and state levels, the use of artificial intelligence in schools, and declining enrollment.—
Kellye Lynn,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
As Hartford education officials work to mitigate a large budget deficit, a report from an outside firm The Connecticut State Department of Education hired to review Hartford Public Schools’ financials found that declining enrollment and decisions regarding salaries and hiring are to blame.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worsening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worsening. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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