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Definition of deteriorate
deteriorated
;deteriorating
transitive verb
1 : to make inferior in quality or value : impair Exposure to sunlight may deteriorate the paint.
2 : disintegrate
intransitive verb
: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate allowed a tradition of academic excellence to deteriorate his health deteriorated
From the M-W Editors
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 of deteriorate from the Web
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The Antietam project includes replacement of Antietam's Newcomer House and repairs of more than 5,000 feet of deteriorating fencing in areas where some of the most intense fighting of the 1862 battle occurred.
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The West also faces deteriorating relations with Putin’s Russia.
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The novel is both funny and authentically creepy, and even as his mental health and relationships deteriorate, Stephen remains consistently surprising, accessible, and engaging.
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The first season’s Pride episode revolved heavily around Schroeder’s deteriorating relationship with her then-boyfriend, SUR bartender Jax Taylor.
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Farnum discovered that extended screen time doesn't just cause a straight-up lack of socialization (a given, if your head is buried in a phone), but can actually have some deteriorating, negative effects on children's brains as well.
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Empty and badly deteriorated, the house was owned by a local developer who was preparing to tear it down to build some very un-Wrightian McMansions when Zach Rawling, a lawyer and builder who loved Wright’s work, bought it in 2012.
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Construction on this section of I-84 was accelerated after harsh winter weather caused the pavement to deteriorate more quickly than anticipated.
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His relationship with the team deteriorated until he was canned in April 2016.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deteriorate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
DETERIORATE Defined for English Language Learners
deteriorate
playDefinition of deteriorate for English Language Learners
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: to become worse as time passes
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: to make (something) worse
DETERIORATE Defined for Kids
deteriorate
playDefinition of deteriorate for Students
deteriorated
;deteriorating
: to make or become worse or of less value Their relationship deteriorated.
Medical Dictionary
deteriorate
playMedical Definition of deteriorate
deteriorated
;deteriorating
: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate her health deteriorated deteriorating vision
Learn More about deteriorate
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See words that rhyme with deteriorate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for deteriorate Spanish Central: Translation of deteriorate Nglish: Translation of deteriorate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of deteriorate for Arabic speakers
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