worsening

ADJECTIVE

hopeless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

desperate forlorn helpless impossible pointless sad tragic useless

WEAK

bad beyond recall cynical dejected demoralized despairing despondent disconsolate discouraging downhearted fatal gone goner ill-fated impracticable in despair incurable irredeemable irreparable irreversible irrevocable lost menacing no-win past hope shot down sinister sunk threatening unachievable unavailing unfortunate unmitigable up the creek vain woebegone

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cheerful good happy hopeful joyful

WEAK

auspicious bright encouraging expectant optimistic promising propitious rosy

ADJECTIVE

irremediable

Synonyms

WEAK

bad beyond recall cureless cynical dejected demoralized despairing desperate despondent disconsolate discouraging downhearted fatal forlorn gone goner helpless ill-fated impossible impracticable in despair incurable irredeemable irreparable irreversible irrevocable lost menacing no-win past hope pointless sad shot down sinister sunk threatening tragic unachievable unavailing unfortunate unmitigable up the creek useless vain woebegone

ADJECTIVE

retrograde

Synonyms

STRONG

declining deteriorating inverted lapsing receding reversed sinking slipping

WEAK

backward catabolic contrary inverse

Antonyms

WEAK

forward positive

NOUN

aggravation

Synonyms

STRONG

exacerbation exaggeration increase inflaming inflammation intensification magnification strengthening

WEAK

condition deepening heightening sharpening

NOUN

declension

Synonyms

STRONG

decadence decadency decay declination decline degeneracy degeneration

WEAK

decaying

Antonyms

STRONG

development improvement morality

NOUN

declination

Synonyms

STRONG

decadence decadency decay declension decline degeneracy degeneration

WEAK

decaying

Antonyms

STRONG

development improvement morality

NOUN

decline

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deterioration downturn drop failure fall recession slump weakening

STRONG

abatement backsliding comedown cropper decay decrepitude degeneracy degeneration descent devolution diminution dissolution dive downfall downgrade dwindling ebb ebbing enfeeblement failing flop lapse pratfall relapse senility skids wane waning

WEAK

fall-off falling-off on the skids

Antonyms

STRONGEST

increase rise success

STRONG

accomplishment achievement ascent development growth improvement progress strength strengthening upgrade

WEAK

betterment

NOUN

degeneration

Synonyms

STRONGEST

decay

STRONG

decadence decadency declension declination decline degeneracy

WEAK

decaying

Antonyms

STRONG

improvement morality

NOUN

deterioration

Synonyms

STRONGEST

decline degradation depreciation devaluation disintegration dislocation downturn slump

STRONG

abasement adulteration atrophy corrosion debasement decadence declension declination decomposition descent dilapidation disrepair downfall downgrade drop fall lapse lessening perversion retrogression rotting ruin spoiling vitiation

WEAK

crumbling decaying degringolade

Antonyms

STRONGEST

increase

STRONG

ascent development growth improvement rise success upgrade

WEAK

betterment building construction

NOUN

entropy

Synonyms

STRONG

breakup collapse decay decline degeneration destruction

WEAK

falling apart

Antonyms

STRONG

improvement increase rise

NOUN

exacerbation

Synonyms

STRONG

aggravation

WEAK

heightening increasing

NOUN

relapse

Synonyms

STRONGEST

recidivism recurrence regression

STRONG

backsliding fall lapse loss repetition retrogression return reversion setback

WEAK

fall from grace turn for the worse

Antonyms

STRONG

achievement success

WEAK

healing progress strengthening

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The researchers say tropical rivers should be considered a top priority for mitigation efforts aimed at preventing worsening oxygen depletion.

From Science Daily • May 17, 2026

Cuba was hit by worsening power outages on Thursday as the island's communist government said oil reserves had run out and rare protests broke out around the capital Havana.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

Besides internal challenges, a worsening operating environment outside its control has also stymied performance.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

The energy crunch in California is worsening by the day.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

The redness around my G-tube is worsening, an infection definitely starting to form.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott

worsening

Example Sentences

Related Words