worsening
/ˈwɜːsənɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈɚsənɪŋ] /ˈwɜːrsənɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwɜː.sən.ɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈɚsənɪŋ] /ˈwɝː.sən.ɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈɚsənɪŋ] /ˈwər-sᵊn How to pronounce worsen (audio)/ (ame, mw)
worsening — adjective
- worseningpositive
- more worseningcomparative
- most worseningsuperlative
1. continuing to become less good or more serious, used to describe a situation, co
continuing to become less good or more serious, used to describe a situation, condition, or level that was already bad and keeps getting worse.
The worsening drought forced Andrew to sell his cattle earlier than planned.
worsening + noun denoting a crisis or problem
Elena's worsening eyesight made it difficult for her to recognise faces from across the room.
worsening + noun for a personal condition
The mayor outlined steps to ease the worsening traffic on the main highway.
The worsening financial crisis forced Paloma to close her small bakery.
- deteriorating
more formal; common in medical and technical writing
- declining
focuses on a downward trend rather than the seriousness of the result
- degenerating
stronger negative connotation; often used for moral or physical breakdown
- improving
opposite direction of change
- recovering
used especially for health or economic situations
文法句型
worsening + noun
用法筆記
This adjective only appears before a noun. To express the same idea as a verb in a sentence, use the verb 'worsen' — compare 'the worsening drought' (adj+noun) with 'the drought worsened' (noun+verb).
常見錯誤
worsening — noun
1. the process or fact of a situation, condition, or level becoming less good or mo
the process or fact of a situation, condition, or level becoming less good or more serious over time.
Doctors are concerned about the worsening of Diya's lung condition since the winter began.
worsening of + noun phrase (health context)
The sudden worsening of the storm forced the airport to cancel all remaining flights.
sudden worsening — common adverb + noun pattern
Experts reported a worrying worsening in air quality across the industrial district.
Residents complained about the worsening of security in the apartment building after dark.
- deterioration
more formal; preferred in medical and academic contexts
- decline
broader meaning — can describe a simple drop without implying the starting point was already bad
- degeneration
stronger; suggests a breakdown in quality or function
- improvement
movement in a positive direction
- recovery
returning to a previous better state after a period of decline
文法句型
worsening of + noun phrase
worsening in + noun phrase
用法筆記
Typically followed by 'of' (worsening of something) or 'in' (worsening in something). Often paired with adjectives like 'steady', 'dramatic', 'sudden', or 'gradual' to describe the pace of decline.
常見錯誤
worsening — verb
- worseningpresent simple I / you / we / they
- worsenings3rd person singular
- worseninging-ing form
- worseningedpast simple
1. to become less good or more serious — used of a situation, condition, or relatio
to become less good or more serious — used of a situation, condition, or relationship that was already bad and continues to get worse.
The patient's condition worsened overnight despite the doctors' best efforts.
condition + worsens (health context)
Economic conditions in the region worsened after the flood destroyed thousands of homes.
Nadia's relationship with her brother worsened when they disagreed about their mother's care.
Trang's cough worsened every time she walked past the construction site.
- deteriorate
more formal; very common in medical and technical English
- decline
focuses on a downward direction; can be less dramatic
- degenerate
stronger; suggests a return to a worse former state or a breakdown
- get worse
informal equivalent; more common in everyday speech
文法句型
noun phrase + worsens
noun phrase + worsened + adverb (e.g., dramatically)
用法筆記
Never takes a direct object. If you want to say that someone caused something to become worse, use the transitive sense (verb/2). The verb 'worsen' is slightly more formal than the phrase 'get worse'.
常見錯誤
2. to make a bad situation, condition, or relationship even less good or more serio
to make a bad situation, condition, or relationship even less good or more serious than it already is.
Darius's careless comments only worsened an already tense atmosphere in the office.
worsen + noun phrase (interpersonal context)
Applying hot water to the burn will worsen the injury and increase the pain.
The new restrictions worsened the housing shortage by limiting construction permits in the city.
Blaming the volunteer team publicly only worsened the charity's reputation in the local community.
- aggravate
slightly more formal; very common for health contexts (aggravate an injury)
- exacerbate
more formal and stronger; used especially for problems, conflicts, or crises
- compound
suggests adding a new problem on top of an existing one
- make worse
informal equivalent; more common in everyday speech
文法句型
noun phrase + worsens + noun phrase
worsen + noun phrase
用法筆記
Always takes a direct object — the subject causes something to become worse. Frequently used with 'only' (e.g., 'only worsened the problem') to emphasise that the action made things worse rather than better. Do not confuse with the intransitive sense (verb/1), where no object follows.