WORSE Definition & Meaning

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worse

[ wurs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

bad or ill in a greater or higher degree; inferior in excellence, quality, or character.
more unfavorable or injurious.
in less good condition; in poorer health.

noun

that which is worse.

adverb

in a more evil, wicked, severe, or disadvantageous manner.
with more severity, intensity, etc.; in a greater degree.

worse

/ ��ɜː�� /

adjective

the comparative of bad 1
none the worse for
not harmed by (adverse events or circumstances)
the worse for wear
1. shabby or worn
2. a slang term for drunk
worse luck! informal.
unhappily; unfortunately
worse off
postpositive in a worse, esp a worse financial, condition

noun

something that is worse
for the worse
into a less desirable or inferior state or condition
a change for the worse
go from bad to worse
to deteriorate even more

adverb

in a more severe or unpleasant manner
in a less effective or successful manner

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of worse¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English (adjective, adverb, and noun); Old English wiersa (comparative adjective), wiers (adverb); cognate with Old Norse verri, Gothic wairsiza; war ²

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of worse¹

Old English wiersa; related to Old Frisian werra, Old High German wirsiro, Old Norse verri, Gothic wairsiza

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Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with worse , also see all the (worse) ; bark is worse than one's bite ; fate worse than death ; for better or for worse ; from bad to worse ; if worst comes to worst ; none the worse ; take a turn for the better (worse) . Also see under worst .

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

They are a realistic portrayal of what it means to love someone for better and for worse ... and the many annoying moments in between.

From

"Without urgent intervention, we face the very real prospect of a generation growing up with worse health outcomes than their parents," the OHA said in a letter to Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

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A minute never goes by without Cage’s circumstances getting worse.

From

As bad as this administration is, we in the press are worse.

From

“And they knew they could get away with it, because we were the worst of the worse, the despicable of the despicable.”

From

Related 51�Թ�s

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

worrywart worse for wear

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