Word verb
worsen
v.
US /ˈwɝsən/ UK /wˈɜːsən/ wors·en UK spelling worsened, worsens
Definition
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to make a situation or a problem more difficult or unpleasant.
to make something worse or to impair its quality. This transitive use requires a direct object.
Simple“Adding more salt to the soup will only worsen the taste.”
In context“The new policy served only to worsen the existing tensions between the management and the local workforce.”
SynonymsAntonymsamelioratebetter
Real-world usage
“But antihistamines could actually worsen some menopausal symptoms, says Huang.”
“Fernandez's relationship with Chelsea worsened after the exit of Maresca in January.”
Etymology
From Middle English wursnen; equivalent to worse + -en.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Origin Middle English wursnen
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated