deteriorate
verb
de·te·ri·o·rate
di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt 
dē-
deteriorated; deteriorating
1
: to make worse or lower in quality or value : impair
Exposure to sunlight may deteriorate the paint.
2
: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : become gradually worse
allowed a tradition of academic excellence to deteriorate
His health deteriorated.
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
Despite knowing that their baby was born two months premature and seeing the newborn was unable to gain or maintain weight, Reed and Winn allegedly never sought any medical care for the infant as her health continued to significantly deteriorate, prosecutors said.
—
Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 24 Nov. 2025
Aviation authorities and airlines are advising travelers to check for updates before heading to airports, warning that additional suspensions are possible if security conditions deteriorate or if the FAA extends its advisory.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 Nov. 2025
If California, along with the rest of the nation, experiences even a mild recession, the financial condition of the state could deteriorate to a point where even higher taxes will be on the table, no doubt accelerating the exodus out of the formerly golden state.
—Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 24 Nov. 2025
The inside also noted that Fergie and Andrew’s relationship has deteriorated dramatically ever since their royal exile started.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
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Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 24 Nov. 2025
Aviation authorities and airlines are advising travelers to check for updates before heading to airports, warning that additional suspensions are possible if security conditions deteriorate or if the FAA extends its advisory.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 Nov. 2025
If California, along with the rest of the nation, experiences even a mild recession, the financial condition of the state could deteriorate to a point where even higher taxes will be on the table, no doubt accelerating the exodus out of the formerly golden state.
—Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 24 Nov. 2025
The inside also noted that Fergie and Andrew’s relationship has deteriorated dramatically ever since their royal exile started.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deteriorate. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
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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