deteriorate
verb
de·te·ri·o·rate
di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt 
dē-
deteriorated; deteriorating
1
: to make inferior in quality or value : impair
Exposure to sunlight may deteriorate the paint.
2
: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate
allowed a tradition of academic excellence to deteriorate
his health deteriorated
Synonyms
Examples of deteriorate in a Sentence
efforts to save a deteriorating rain forest
Exposure to rain and sun will gradually deteriorate the paint.
Recent Examples on the Web
But as his hearing deteriorated, the hearing aids became less effective.
—
Ronnie Li, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
Adkins was at high risk of what’s known as Mirror Syndrome — a condition in which the pregnant mother develops symptoms that mimic those of her deteriorating fetus, including swelling, high blood pressure and potentially pre-eclampsia.
—Fallon Gallagher, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024
The past few years have seen West’s business, personal, and musical affairs deteriorate in the aftermath of his antisemitic rants — with Adidas, Gap, Balenciaga, and the rapper’s own agency, CAA, cutting ties with West.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2024
Since her parents moved in with her in 2017, Shin has navigated the complexities of her mother's deteriorating health and eventual Alzheimer's disease diagnosis while raising two young children.
—Lisa Ling, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2024
Clinical investigations could not provide an immediate explanation, but her deteriorating condition eventually prompted exploratory surgery.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2024
Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin was already concerned about the deteriorating environment when the spill occurred.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2024
The Israelis had help—from the United States, the U.K, and, remarkably, Jordan, its Arab neighbor, with which relations have sharply deteriorated since the war in Gaza began.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2024
The wooden structure, owned by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, has been vacant for several years and is deteriorating.
—Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
Ronnie Li, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
Adkins was at high risk of what’s known as Mirror Syndrome — a condition in which the pregnant mother develops symptoms that mimic those of her deteriorating fetus, including swelling, high blood pressure and potentially pre-eclampsia.
—Fallon Gallagher, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024
The past few years have seen West’s business, personal, and musical affairs deteriorate in the aftermath of his antisemitic rants — with Adidas, Gap, Balenciaga, and the rapper’s own agency, CAA, cutting ties with West.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2024
Since her parents moved in with her in 2017, Shin has navigated the complexities of her mother's deteriorating health and eventual Alzheimer's disease diagnosis while raising two young children.
—Lisa Ling, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2024
Clinical investigations could not provide an immediate explanation, but her deteriorating condition eventually prompted exploratory surgery.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2024
Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin was already concerned about the deteriorating environment when the spill occurred.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2024
The Israelis had help—from the United States, the U.K, and, remarkably, Jordan, its Arab neighbor, with which relations have sharply deteriorated since the war in Gaza began.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2024
The wooden structure, owned by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, has been vacant for several years and is deteriorating.
—Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deteriorate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near deteriorate
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deteriorate. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deteriorate
verb
de·te·ri·o·rate
di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt
deteriorated; deteriorating
1
: to make or become worse or of less value : degenerate
deterioration
noun
-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈrā-shən
Medical Definition
deteriorate
intransitive verb
de·te·ri·o·rate
di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt
deteriorated; deteriorating
: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate
her health deteriorated
deteriorating vision
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