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
But in the meantime, Iran’s economy continues to deteriorate.
—
Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026
Joined by fellow five-timers Jonah Hill, Tina Fey (who hosted the premiere of SNL UK earlier this year), Candice Bergen, and Melissa McCarthy, Black tries to spiff up the deteriorating and cobweb-covered Five-Timers lounge.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 5 Apr. 2026
Rights groups report hundreds of detentions since the war began, with deteriorating prison conditions and threats of lethal force against new protests.
—Amir-Hussein Radjy, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
Kuo believes the question of unification will inevitably be resolved during Xi’s tenure, but is concerned Xi will opt for a more aggressive approach, such as a blockade or invasion, as relations between Beijing and Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party have deteriorated.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
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Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026
Joined by fellow five-timers Jonah Hill, Tina Fey (who hosted the premiere of SNL UK earlier this year), Candice Bergen, and Melissa McCarthy, Black tries to spiff up the deteriorating and cobweb-covered Five-Timers lounge.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 5 Apr. 2026
Rights groups report hundreds of detentions since the war began, with deteriorating prison conditions and threats of lethal force against new protests.
—Amir-Hussein Radjy, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
Kuo believes the question of unification will inevitably be resolved during Xi’s tenure, but is concerned Xi will opt for a more aggressive approach, such as a blockade or invasion, as relations between Beijing and Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party have deteriorated.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 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 8 Apr. 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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