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
Since then, residents say, conditions have only deteriorated.
—
Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 31 May 2026
The Kremlin sounded the alarm on its deteriorating finances earlier this year, just as its war on Ukraine pivoted dramatically against Russian forces.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Preserves the structural integrity and safety of the deck by protecting the structure from water damage that may otherwise rust fasteners, weaken support posts, deteriorate joist hangers, warp deck boards, and rot the wood.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 29 May 2026
Officials have described the overhaul as a long-overdue restoration effort aimed at addressing decades of deferred maintenance, including deteriorating infrastructure, water damage, failing HVAC systems and structural concerns throughout the building.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
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Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 31 May 2026
The Kremlin sounded the alarm on its deteriorating finances earlier this year, just as its war on Ukraine pivoted dramatically against Russian forces.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Preserves the structural integrity and safety of the deck by protecting the structure from water damage that may otherwise rust fasteners, weaken support posts, deteriorate joist hangers, warp deck boards, and rot the wood.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 29 May 2026
Officials have described the overhaul as a long-overdue restoration effort aimed at addressing decades of deferred maintenance, including deteriorating infrastructure, water damage, failing HVAC systems and structural concerns throughout the building.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deteriorate. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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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