English Explanatory Dictionary

worsen

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To make worse; to impair.
  2. To become worse; to get worse.
  3. To get the better of; to worst.

Pronunciation

/ˈwɜːsn̩/ /wɔːsn̩/ /ˈwɝsn̩/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-worsen.wav

Word forms

worsen worsens worsening worsened

Etymology

From Middle English wursnen; equivalent to worse + -en.

Synonyms

atrophy break down crack decline deteriorate degenerate devolve confound fade 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 lapse molder pejorate retrograde suffer spend sweal shrivel tabefy wither wither away wane wanse worsen aggravate exacerbate degrade adulterate alloy canker contaminate corrupt debase debauch defile deflower downgrade envenom exasperate infect impair leaven set back stain sophisticate uplift vitiate weaken

Antonyms

better improve ameliorate meliorate mitigate

Related words

aggravate bad deteriorated
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