deteriorate

verb

de·​te·​ri·​o·​rate di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt 

dē-

deteriorated; deteriorating

transitive verb

1

: to make worse or lower in quality or value : impair

Exposure to sunlight may deteriorate the paint.

2

: disintegrate

intransitive verb

: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : become gradually worse

allowed a tradition of academic excellence to deteriorate

His health deteriorated.

deteriorative

di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrā-tiv 

dē-

adjective

Synonyms of deteriorate

• worsen
• crumble
• decline
• descend
• diminish

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

England reached stumps on 103-4 after 15 overs, still needing 270 runs in its seemingly forlorn chase of 373 to win on a deteriorating pitch and heading for a first defeat in a home series of three or more tests since 2012. — ABC News, 28 June 2026

Intensifying wildfires across eastern Utah and western Colorado are sending thick smoke into portions of the state, creating hazy skies and deteriorating air quality for many mountain and western Colorado communities. — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 28 June 2026

The result is that beaches to the south of the inlet deteriorate. — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026

Air support also was grounded the previous afternoon as conditions deteriorated. — Ty Oneil, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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 entry 2, -er

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for deteriorate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids 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

2

: disintegrate sense 1

deterioration

-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈrā-shən

noun

deteriorative

-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt-iv 

adjective

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