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

But the journey can turn rough when wind and sea conditions deteriorate, Agnos said, particularly around the Cyclades, where seasonal Meltemi winds can churn up the Aegean. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Families of some of the 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard the Lincoln describe low morale and deteriorating conditions. — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026

As the deployment has stretched on and living conditions on board have allegedly deteriorated, the crew of the Lincoln has also reportedly struggled with increasing mental health concerns. — Connor Greene, Time, 14 Aug. 2026

However, their performance can deteriorate when exposed to moisture, oxygen, and heat. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 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