deteriorate
verb
de·te·ri·o·rate
di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt 
dē-
deteriorated; deteriorating
1
: to make inferior in quality or value : impair
Exposure to sunlight may deteriorate the paint.
2
: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate
allowed a tradition of academic excellence to deteriorate
his health deteriorated
Synonyms
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
As credit markets deteriorate, Bitcoin transforms from a speculative asset into a defensive, strategic holding.
—
Ansel Lindner, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Ever since his wife passed away a few years ago, his relationship with his daughter Erika has deteriorated.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 24 Oct. 2024
Relations between the two have deteriorated in recent years with an uptick in fiery rhetoric on both sides of the demilitarized zone.
—Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024
Ties between the two countries deteriorated in July 2020 after a military clash killed at least 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese.
—Ashok Sharma, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deteriorate 
Ansel Lindner, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Ever since his wife passed away a few years ago, his relationship with his daughter Erika has deteriorated.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 24 Oct. 2024
Relations between the two have deteriorated in recent years with an uptick in fiery rhetoric on both sides of the demilitarized zone.
—Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024
Ties between the two countries deteriorated in July 2020 after a military clash killed at least 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese.
—Ashok Sharma, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deteriorate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deteriorate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near deteriorate
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deteriorate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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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