deteriorate

de·te·ri·o·rate

verb \di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt, dē-\

de·te·ri·o·rat·edde·te·ri·o·rat·ing

Definition of DETERIORATE

transitive verb

1

: to make inferior in quality or value : impair

2

: disintegrate

intransitive verb

: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate <allowed a tradition of academic excellence to deteriorate> <his health deteriorated>

— de·te·ri·o·ra·tive \-ˌrā-tiv\ adjective

Examples of DETERIORATE

1. efforts to save a deteriorating rain forest
2. Exposure to rain and sun will gradually deteriorate the paint.

Origin of DETERIORATE

Late Latin deterioratus, past participle of deteriorare, from Latin deterior worse, from de- + -ter (suffix as in Latin uter which of two) + -ior (comparative suffix) — more at whether, -er

First Known Use: 1572

Related to DETERIORATE

Synonyms

atrophy, crumble, decay, decline, degenerate, descend, devolve, ebb, regress, retrograde, rot, sink, worsen, go to pot, go to seed (or run to seed)

Antonyms

ameliorate, improve, meliorate

Related Words

abate, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, recede, wane; break down, corrupt, decompose, degrade, dilapidate, disintegrate, molder, putrefy; sour, spoil; lessen, lower, reduce; debilitate, undermine; droop, fail, fall, flag, lag, languish, run down, sag, slip, waste (away), weaken, wilt

Near Antonyms

better, upgrade; enhance, enrich, fortify, heighten, intensify, strengthen; advance, develop, march, proceed, progress

Rhymes with DETERIORATE

circumambulate, circumnavigate, contraindicate, decontaminate, differentiate, disambiguate, disassociate, discombobulate, disorientate, disproportionate, excommunicate, expiration date, free-associate, hyperventilate, incapacitate, intermediate, interpenetrate, misappropriate, multivariate, overcompensate, overpopulate, ratiocinate, recapitulate, rehabilitate, renegotiate, superannuate, supersaturate, transubstantiate, underestimate

de·te·ri·o·rate

intransitive verb \di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt\   (Medical Dictionary)

de·te·ri·o·rat·ed; de·te·ri·o·rat·ing

Medical Definition of DETERIORATE

: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate <her health deteriorated> <deteriorating vision>