worsen

USAGE SUMMARY

'worsen' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an intransitive verb to describe how a situation or condition is becoming worse overtime. Example sentence: "We are afraid that the economic situation might worsen if the government doesn't implement a new stimulus package soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They know that if the negotiations fail, further sanctions will kick in, economic stagnation will worsen, and they will reap the benefits of widespread public disenchantment".

The Guardian

In the lead-up to Luke's death, Batty had been gradually decreasing the amount of contact they had with Anderson as his threats escalated and his paranoia seemed to worsen.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clegg sought to press home the case for higher tuition fees today by insisting the plans will make universities "more effective engines of social mobility" and that the policy will "stand the test of time", as he embarked on a last-ditch offensive to dispel "unhelpful myths", notably that the new funding system will worsen social mobility.

The Guardian

Five more years and this situation will only worsen.

The Guardian

More likely, if anything, it would lead to long-standing conservative alternatives – allowing companies to sell insurance across state lines, for example – that would lead to a race-to-the-bottom among the states and worsen the quality of care across the board.

The Guardian

Tsipras's leftist-led administration, while acutely aware that the majority of Greeks wish to remain part of the eurozone, insists that it does not have a mandate to enforce measures that would worsen living standards and Greece's economic woes.

The Guardian

There will be argument over whether it is the best use of scarce resources when in some school districts there aren't even enough places in reception classes for local children and the problem is set to worsen.

The Guardian - Opinion

"With the cuts for the arts really biting, and potentially going to worsen, this collective festival is such an important opportunity to showcase what the museum sector is all about and what we can do when we combine and take risks".

The Guardian

Core problems such as substance abuse, family breakdown and unemployment can often worsen in jail.

The Guardian - Opinion

The group, which comprises representatives of Sunderland City Council, police, ambulance and fire services as well as the club, will meet again tomorrow, with weather forecasts suggesting that conditions will worsen over the weekend.

The Guardian - Sport

Al-Jazeera has separately been accused of taking measures that worsen the trio's plight, such as threatening to sue the Egyptian government in the weeks before the trio's verdict was due, an unhelpful move to which Clooney seemed to allude in her comments.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "worsen", be specific about what is deteriorating. Clarity enhances the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "worsen" when describing sudden events. It's best suited for processes that degrade over time.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "worsen" is as an intransitive verb, describing a state of becoming worse. Ludwig AI confirms that "worsen" is correct and usable in written English, as seen in numerous examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "worsen" functions as an intransitive verb, indicating a decline or deterioration. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in written English. Found predominantly in News & Media, it is suitable for neutral registers. To enhance clarity, specify what is deteriorating, and remember it's more appropriate for gradual declines rather than sudden events. Alternatives include "deteriorate", "exacerbate", and "aggravate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deteriorate

Focuses on the gradual decline from a standard or healthy state.

exacerbate

Emphasizes making an already bad situation even worse.

aggravate

Highlights increasing the severity or seriousness of something, often a problem or injury.

decline

Suggests a more gradual and subtle decrease in quality or condition.

degenerate

Indicates a decline to a lower or less desirable state.

intensify

Implies that a condition or feeling is becoming stronger or more extreme.

escalate

Focuses on the rapid increase in the intensity or seriousness of a situation.

compound

Highlights adding to existing problems or difficulties.

amplify

Emphasizes increasing the effect or intensity of something.

heighten

Suggests an increase in the degree or intensity of a feeling or situation.

FAQs

How do I use "worsen" in a sentence?

"Worsen" is typically used to describe a situation or condition that is becoming progressively worse. For example, "The economic situation may worsen if unemployment rates continue to rise."

What can I say instead of "worsen"?

You can use alternatives like "deteriorate", "exacerbate", or "aggravate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "worsen" or "worsening"?

"Worsen" is the base verb form. "Worsening" is the present participle or gerund form, used in continuous tenses or as a noun.

How does "worsen" differ from "improve"?

"Worsen" describes a negative change, indicating something is getting worse, while "improve" describes a positive change, indicating something is getting better.