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

see all synonyms and antonyms

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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