Thesaurus:make matters worse

Thesaurus

make matters worse

English

Verb

Sense: worsen an already difficult situation

Synonyms

• add fuel to the fire
• add insult to injury
• cap it all off (sarcastic)
• fan the flames
• make matters worse
• throw gasoline on the fire

With malice

• hit someone when they are down
• kick a dog when it's down
• kick someone when they are down
• punch down
• rub it in
• rub salt in the wound
• strike someone when they are down
• twist the knife

Antonyms

• improve    [⇒ thesaurus]
• pour oil on troubled waters
• repair    [⇒ thesaurus]

Hypernyms

• aggravate    [⇒ thesaurus]
• worsen    [⇒ thesaurus]

Further reading

• “659. Deterioration” in Roget's Thesaurus, T. Y. Crowell Co., 1911.
• “make matters worse” in Moby Thesaurus II, Grady Ward, 1996.