English Reference
Adjective

worsening

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈwɝsənɪŋ/ UK /wˈɜːsənɪŋ/ wors·en·ing

adj.becoming worse or more serious than before. You use this to describe a situation that is getting harder to deal with.

adj.becoming more severe, intense, or lower in quality over time. Often used as a participial adjective to describe conditions, health, or weather.


SIMPLE

The worsening weather forced us to stay inside.

CONTEXTUAL

Doctors are closely monitoring the patient's worsening condition to decide if surgery is necessary.

COMPLEX

The worsening economic climate has led many small businesses to reconsider their expansion plans for the next fiscal year, as consumer confidence continues to decline across the region.

Usage

Often used attributively before a noun to describe a deteriorating state.

Usage worsening conditions

This means someone could go through much of life with flexible joints, but an "external environmental stressor" could come along, worsening everything.

BBC News· 27 Aug 2026

Residents and researchers say worsening heat and water stress are putting new pressure on an old divide.

BBC News· 24 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated