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
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
An inspection also calls attention safety issues that require repairs, like cracks, a deteriorating liner, or problems with the flue or chimney cap.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Like the woman who shared her August menu, other detainees in Richwood have shared similar complaints about deteriorating food quality with their lawyers and loved ones.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
That pressure has intensified the chase for what’s working — even as fundamentals deteriorate.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Kabul wants to hedge against its deteriorating relationship with its former patron Islamabad, which accuses the Taliban of harboring a separate but allied group that has carried out deadly attacks inside Pakistan.
—Happymon Jacob, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
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Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Like the woman who shared her August menu, other detainees in Richwood have shared similar complaints about deteriorating food quality with their lawyers and loved ones.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
That pressure has intensified the chase for what’s working — even as fundamentals deteriorate.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Kabul wants to hedge against its deteriorating relationship with its former patron Islamabad, which accuses the Taliban of harboring a separate but allied group that has carried out deadly attacks inside Pakistan.
—Happymon Jacob, Time, 16 Oct. 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 23 Oct. 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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