Worse Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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worse

[wɜːrs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

comparative

Of lower quality or a lower standard; less good or desirable.

Synonyms

inferior, lower-quality, poorer, substandard.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
worse	Use when comparing two or more things, highlighting that one is notably more negative or of lower quality than the other. His performance in the second half of the game was worse compared to the first half. My cold got worse after I went out in the rain.
inferior	Use to describe something that is of lower rank, status, or quality, typically in a more formal or evaluative context. The quality of this brand's product is inferior to that of its competitors. He felt inferior to his colleagues because of his lack of experience.
poorer	Use when emphasizing the lack of quality, efficiency, or effectiveness compared to something else. It can carry a negative connotation. The poorer road conditions made it difficult to travel. He received poorer grades this semester.
substandard	Use for describing something that falls below the usual or required standard, often in formal or official contexts. It has a distinctly negative connotation. The substandard living conditions in the apartment complex were unacceptable. The company's substandard practices were exposed during the investigation.
lower-quality	Use to denote items, services, or results that do not meet certain standards of quality, often in consumer choices. The lower-quality materials used in the construction led to frequent repairs. We opted for the lower-quality product because it was cheaper.

Examples of usage

The weather today is worse than yesterday.
I thought the movie would be good, but it was even worse than I expected.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

comparative

More severe or serious.

Synonyms

declining, deteriorated, deteriorating, deteriorative.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
worse	Used when describing a condition or situation that is less good than before, commonly in everyday language. The weather is getting worse. His grades have gotten worse this semester.
deteriorating	Used to describe something that is currently becoming worse, typically in formal or technical discussions. The patient's condition is deteriorating. The road conditions are deteriorating due to heavy traffic.
declining	Used in a professional or formal context to describe a gradual decrease in quality, quantity, or importance. The company's profits have been declining for years. There is a declining population in rural areas.
deteriorated	Used to describe something that has already become worse over time, often used in medical or technical contexts. His health has deteriorated rapidly. The building's structure has deteriorated due to neglect.
deteriorative	Used to indicate something that causes deterioration, often found in scientific or technical texts. Observations show that certain chemicals have a deteriorative effect on the material. The deteriorative process of the metal was evident over time.

Examples of usage

Her condition took a turn for the worse.
The situation is getting worse by the minute.

^{Context #3 | Adverb}

comparative

To a greater extent or degree.

Synonyms

further, more severely, to a greater extent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
worse	Use when comparing a negative situation or condition to one that is less negative. It signifies a deterioration in quality or condition. The weather is getting worse. Her health is worse than it was last week.
more severely	Use when describing something negative happening with greater intensity or harshness. Typically used in medical, legal, or formal contexts. The patient was more severely injured in the second accident. The new policy affects poorer communities more severely.
to a greater extent	Use to express a higher degree of something, often in a neutral or positive context. The new law will benefit the residents to a greater extent. She participated to a greater extent in the team's activities.
further	Use when indicating a greater distance or a more advanced point. It can also mean additional extent or degree in a less literal sense. He decided to travel further into the forest. The project will be delayed further.

Examples of usage

I feel worse today than I did yesterday.
Things are going from bad to worse.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Using 'worse' in discussions can evoke negative emotions, often leading people to feel down or less hopeful.
The 'negativity bias' in psychology shows that people pay more attention to negative experiences, making 'worse' a powerful word in conversations.
Studies show that framing situations as 'worse' can affect decision-making, often leading individuals to avoid risks.

Literature

Many famous works use the concept of 'worse' to illustrate conflict, such as in Shakespeare's plays where characters often face dilemmas that get worse.
In George Orwell's '1984', the phrase 'the worst is yet to come' highlights a society spiraling into deeper oppression.
Writers often set up comparisons using 'worse' to create tension and emotional depth in their narratives.

Pop Culture

The phrase 'could be worse' is commonly used in humor. It’s often repeated in sitcoms to lighten a dire situation.
In music, many songs explore themes of heartbreak and loss, often using 'worse' to describe feelings in the lyrics.
Movies like 'The Hangover' use 'worse' moments for comedic effect, highlighting how situations can escalate humorously.

Origin of 'worse'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from Old English 'wyrsa', which means 'more bad'.
Related to the word 'bad', which has a long history in English literature and conversation.
Interestingly, the comparative 'worse' doesn't always follow the pattern of adding '-er' to the base word, which is unique in English.

The word 'worse' originated from the Old English word 'wiersa', which is related to the German word 'wirsa' meaning 'lower'. Over time, the word evolved to its current form in Middle English. The comparative form of 'bad', 'worse' has been used in English for centuries to indicate a lower standard or greater severity. It is a common word in the English language and is widely used in both formal and informal contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,287, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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