deteriorate

verb

de·​te·​ri·​o·​rate di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt 

dē-

deteriorated; deteriorating

transitive verb

1

: to make inferior in quality or value : impair

Exposure to sunlight may deteriorate the paint.

2

: disintegrate

intransitive verb

: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate

allowed a tradition of academic excellence to deteriorate

his health deteriorated

deteriorative

di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrā-tiv 

dē-

adjective

Synonyms

• worsen
• crumble
• decline
• descend
• diminish

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

Chaturvedi said the Clemson study could illuminate the backstory behind a mysterious case, published in a 2020 article, in which high arsenic levels in well water at a man’s weekend cottage (the location was undisclosed) caused his vision to deteriorate in both eyes. —Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 30 Aug. 2025

By then, the humanitarian situation was deteriorating quickly. —Tom Bowman, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025

Using a nonstick pan should prevent the pizza from sticking, but this can change over time as the coating deteriorates. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025

Though Real Nate and Nora reunite, his mind begins to rapidly deteriorate. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin deterioratus, past participle of deteriorare, from Latin deterior worse, from de- + -ter (suffix as in Latin uter which of two) + -ior (comparative suffix) — more at whether entry 2, -er

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for deteriorate

• borosilicate
• decontaminate
• deoxycholate
• differentiate
• diisocyanate
• dinoflagellate
• excommunicate
• incapacitate
• insubordinate
• intercorporate
• interpenetrate
• isocyanate

Kids 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

2

: disintegrate sense 1

deterioration

-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈrā-shən

noun

deteriorative

-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt-iv 

adjective

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