worsening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worsening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is getting worse or deteriorating over time. Example: "The patient's condition is worsening despite the treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was the first time a European leader had warned that Putin was seeking to press Balkan states to his side in the worsening tug-of-war in Europe between Moscow and Brussels.

The Guardian

Worsening relations with Qatar over the blunt approach of the Qatari TV channel al-Jazeera and territorial disputes created an uneasy situation.

The Guardian

The figures also show the situation is worsening and ethnic minorities have missed out on the recent jobs boom as public sector jobs, where ethnic minorities are over-represented, have continued to be squeezed.

The Guardian

"Undemocratic actions, such as abductions, intimidation and torture by the state against activists, are disheartening when the lives of the Zimbabweans are becoming even more difficult due to the government's failure to arrest the worsening socio-economic challenges in the country," the group said.

The Guardian

With worsening levels of inequality and soaring population growth across Africa, Kaberuka calls on the biggest lenders to African countries to refocus their efforts on providing services and opportunities for the poor.

The Guardian

At a human level O'Grady believes it has led to an increase in low-paid, insecure or part-time jobs, zero-hours contracts and a worsening of terms and conditions.

The Guardian

The evidence from the labor market is also consistent with evidence on consumer confidence, which is worsening in Europe and improving in the US.

The Guardian - Opinion

So, why the contrast in labor market conditions – the US improving and Europe worsening?

The Guardian - Opinion

The diplomats' missives to the US secretary of state report on worsening situations around press freedom, judicial integrity, and corruption within the police.

The Guardian

Large predator expert Dave Salmoni investigates the crisis and finds that it's worsening, as the tigers are actually teaching their cubs how to hunt humans; they stalk their victims from behind and deliver a lethal blow to the neck.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

According to the report, which calls for government action to prevent the worsening of a largely hidden crisis, the problem is worse for men than women.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends, use "worsening" to highlight the continuous nature of the decline, such as "the worsening economic situation".

Common error

Don't use "worsening" if the situation is already at its worst and not actively declining. Instead, opt for adjectives like "critical", "severe", or "dire" to describe the already deteriorated state.

Linguistic Context

**Worsening" functions primarily as a present participle adjective or a gerund. As a participle, it modifies nouns, describing a situation in the process of becoming worse. As a gerund, it can act as a noun, referring to the act of becoming worse itself. Ludwig AI confirms it can be used as adjective and gerund

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "worsening" is a versatile word generally used to describe negative trends. Ludwig AI indicates that it is used as an adjective or a gerund, conveying a sense of ongoing decline. It is most commonly found in news and formal contexts, denoting a neutral tone. For more sudden or intense declines, consider alternatives like "deteriorating" or "exacerbating". When writing, ensure the term aligns with the continuous nature of the decline and avoid using it for static descriptions of already bad states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deteriorating

Focuses on the process of becoming impaired or reduced in quality.

declining

Emphasizes a downward trend or decrease in quality, quantity, or importance.

aggravating

Highlights the act of making something worse or more serious.

exacerbating

Stresses the intensification of a negative situation or condition.

degenerating

Implies a decline in physical or moral qualities.

regressing

Focuses on the act of returning to a previous, less developed state.

spiraling downward

Suggests a rapid and uncontrolled decline.

on the decline

Indicates a general state of diminishing or weakening.

taking a turn for the worse

Describes a sudden and unfavorable change in a situation.

going downhill

An informal way to describe something becoming progressively worse.

FAQs

How can I use "worsening" in a sentence?

You can use "worsening" to describe a situation that is progressively becoming more negative or problematic. For instance, "The "worsening economic conditions" are affecting small businesses".

What are some alternatives to the word "worsening"?

Alternatives to "worsening" include "deteriorating", "declining", or "aggravating", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "worsening" and "deteriorating"?

While both terms indicate a negative change, "worsening" often implies a more gradual or continuous decline, while "deteriorating" can suggest a more rapid or significant decline. However, they are often interchangeable.

What's the difference between "worsening" and "exacerbating"?

"Worsening" describes the overall process of becoming worse, while "exacerbating" describes the act of making something already bad even worse. For example, "The drought is worsening," but "The new policies are exacerbating the drought."