worsen
35 synonyms and 3 antonyms for worsen, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make or become worse.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
atrophy
break down
deteriorate
degenerate
devolve
confound
fall off
go bad
go downhill
go left
go off
go pear-shaped
go sideways
go south
go to hell
go to pot
go to seed
go to the dogs
go wrong
molder
pejorate
retrograde
sweal
shrivel
tabefy
wither
wither away
wane
wanse
Antonyms
How to use worsen
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
worsening conditions
worsen the situation
Etymology
From Middle English wursnen, built from worse plus the verb-forming suffix "-en" (as in "sharpen" or "widen").
Full origin of worsen →Frequently asked questions
What does “worsen” mean?
The word “worsen” means to make or become worse. In plain terms, to get worse, or to make something get worse.
How do you pronounce “worsen”?
“Worsen” is pronounced WURSN (/ˈwɝsn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “worsen” in a sentence?
Here is “worsen” used in a sentence: “The medication may worsen symptoms in rare cases.”
What is another word for “worsen”?
Words with a similar meaning to “worsen” include atrophy, break down, decline, crack, deteriorate and degenerate.
What is the opposite of “worsen”?
The opposite of “worsen” — its antonyms — are better, improve and ameliorate.
What part of speech is “worsen”?
“Worsen” is a verb.
Where does the word “worsen” come from?
The word “worsen” comes from Middle English. From Middle English wursnen, built from worse plus the verb-forming suffix "-en" (as in "sharpen" or "widen").
