worsen

wors·en

verb \ˈwər-s^ən\

wors·enedwors·en·ing\ˈwərs-niŋ, ˈwər-s^ən-iŋ\

Definition of WORSEN

transitive verb

: to make worse

intransitive verb

: to become worse <the weather began to worsen>

Examples of WORSEN

1. Spending more money is only going to worsen the problem.
2. <the condition of the house worsened with every year of neglect>

First Known Use of WORSEN

13th century

Related to WORSEN

Synonyms: atrophy, crumble, decay, decline, degenerate, descend, devolve, ebb, regress, retrograde, rot, sink, deteriorate

Antonyms: ameliorate, improve, meliorate

Related Words: abate, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, recede, wane; break down, corrupt, decompose, degrade, dilapidate, disintegrate, molder, putrefy; sour, spoil; lessen, lower, reduce; debilitate, undermine; droop, fail, fall, flag, lag, languish, run down, sag, slip, waste (away), weaken, wilt

Near Antonyms: better, upgrade; enhance, enrich, fortify, heighten, intensify, strengthen; advance, develop, march, proceed, progress

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with WORSEN

person