worsen
v.v. to become worse or to make something worse. You use this when a situation, like the weather or your health, gets more difficult or painful.
v. to make or become more problematic, severe, or inferior in quality. Often used to describe the deterioration of conditions, health, or social situations.
The weather began to worsen as the sun went down.
Economists fear that the new trade restrictions will worsen the existing supply chain issues and lead to higher prices.
Without immediate intervention from the international community, the humanitarian crisis in the region is expected to worsen significantly over the winter months.
From Middle English wursnen; equivalent to worse + -en.
The verb can be used both transitively ('this will worsen the problem') and intransitively ('the situation worsened').
The situation became worsenThe situation worsenedLearners often use 'worsen' as an adjective after 'become' instead of using it as a verb or using the adjective 'worse'.