Worse

Worse , adjective

[Old English werse, worse, wurse, Anglo-Saxon wiersa, wyrsa, a comparative with no corresponding positive; akin to Old Saxon wirsa, OFries. wirra, Old High German wirsiro, Icelandic verri, Swedish varre, Danish varre, Gothic waírsiza, and probably to Old High German werran to bring into confusion, English war, and Latin verrere to sweep, sweep along. As bad has no comparative and superlative, worse and worst are used in lieu of them, although etymologically they have no relation to bad.]

Bad, ill, evil, or corrupt, in a greater degree; more bad or evil; less good; specifically, in poorer health; more sick; -- used both in a physical and moral sense.

Or worse, if men worse can devise. — Chaucer

[She] was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse. — Mark v. 26

Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse. — 2 Tim. iii. 13

There are men who seem to believe they are not bad while another can be found worse. — Rambler

“But I love him.” “Love him? Worse and worse.” — Gay

Worse , noun

Loss; disadvantage; defeat.

Judah was put to the worse before Israel. — Kings xiv. 12

That which is worse; something less good; as, think not the worse of him for his enterprise.

Worse , adverb

[Anglo-Saxon wiers, wyrs; akin to Old Saxon & Old High German wirs, Icelandic verr, Goth, waírs; a comparative adverb with no corresponding positive. See Worse, a.]

In a worse degree; in a manner more evil or bad.

Now will we deal worse with thee than with them. — Gen. xix. 9

Worse , transitive verb

[Old English wursien, Anglo-Saxon wyrsian to become worse.]

To make worse; to put disadvantage; to discomfit; to worst. See Worst, v.

Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve to better us and worse our foes. — Milton