Worsen
'wɜːrsən
Definitions
To deteriorate or decline; to become or make something worse in quality, condition, or severity.
'wɜːrsən
To become or make something worse
The traffic is worsening due to the accident.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're making a sandwich, and suddenly, you run out of your favorite ingredient. The sandwich experience just got worse, right? Worsen means things are becoming less good or more unpleasant.
👶 For kids: When something gets badder or not as good, it worsens.
More Examples
His health worsened after he stopped taking his medication.
The situation worsened when they ran out of supplies.
How It's Used
"The weather is expected to worsen over the weekend."
"Her condition worsened after the surgery."
"The economic outlook has worsened due to rising inflation."
Synonyms
From Old English *wyrsa (comparative of *wēr* 'bad, evil') + -en (verb-forming suffix).
The word 'worsen' has been used since Old English times, initially as a comparative adjective before evolving into a verb.
Memory tip
Think of a situation getting worse. A problem worsens when it gets more difficult to solve.