deterioration

noun

de·​te·​ri·​o·​ra·​tion di-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈrā-shən 

dē-

: the action or process of becoming impaired or inferior in quality, functioning, or condition : the state of having deteriorated

rust deterioration

the deterioration of academic standards

Synonyms of deterioration

• weakening
• decay
• decline
• decaying

Choose the Right Synonym for deterioration

deterioration, degeneration, decadence, decline mean the falling from a higher to a lower level in quality, character, or vitality.

deterioration implies generally the impairment of value or usefulness.

the deterioration of the house through neglect

degeneration stresses physical, intellectual, or especially moral retrogression.

the degeneration of their youthful idealism into cynicism

decadence presupposes a reaching and passing the peak of development and implies a turn downward with a consequent loss in vitality or energy.

cited love of luxury as a sign of cultural decadence

decline differs from decadence in suggesting a more markedly downward direction and greater momentum as well as more obvious evidence of deterioration.

the meteoric decline of his career after the scandal

Examples of deterioration in a Sentence

the gradual deterioration of the weather

a deterioration of academic standards

Recent Examples on the Web

Tuesday’s data also confirmed an underlying deterioration in employment conditions, particularly for those who are younger or are minorities, noted Brian Bethune, an economics professor at Boston College. —Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 16 Dec. 2025

This deterioration in volatility highlights the lack of concern investors have over the next 30 days, a green light to and end of year rally. —Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2025

The rapid deterioration rate—measured in millimeters annually rather than microns—is driven by that ultra-thin liquid film. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025

Unemployment has risen for young workers and for Black workers, both groups that tend to see deterioration earlier in the cycle, Zandi said. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see deteriorate

First Known Use

circa 1658, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deterioration

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

Medical Definition

deterioration

noun

de·​te·​ri·​o·​ra·​tion di-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈrā-shən 

: the action or process of deteriorating : the state of having deteriorated

personality deterioration

neurological deterioration