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

Beach conditions will deteriorate markedly from late Tuesday through Friday, with large waves, strong rip currents, and powerful onshore winds making coastal recreation dangerous. —Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025

In this way, abandoned and often dilapidated homes are saved and renovated rather than being left to further deteriorate or be torn down. —Eric Adler december 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Dec. 2025

When state officials emptied Lookout Mountain due to deteriorating safety conditions in August, Wallace was sent to work at Platte Valley. —Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2025

And Putin continues to manipulate him to deteriorate the 80-year NATO alliance. —ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025

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

• borosilicate
• decontaminate
• deoxycholate
• differentiate
• diisocyanate
• dinoflagellate
• excommunicate
• incapacitate
• insubordinate
• intercorporate
• interpenetrate
• isocyanate

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