1
as in to worsen
to become worse or of less value
the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to degrade
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
childish name-calling that merely deteriorates what should be a serious discussion on an important issue
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deteriorate
Combined with the country’s porous land border with the Dominican Republic, the deteriorating conditions have helped transform Haiti into a regional transit hub for drug trafficking, the report found.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
The seven candidates running for sheriff in the May primary brought up the deteriorating conditions of the jail.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
The attacks marked the latest sign that the countries’ ceasefire is deteriorating, after Iran struck US bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 10 June 2026
More than 170,000 apartments and 330 developments have been allowed to deteriorate over decades.
—Jasmin Sanchez, New York Daily News, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
The seven candidates running for sheriff in the May primary brought up the deteriorating conditions of the jail.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
The attacks marked the latest sign that the countries’ ceasefire is deteriorating, after Iran struck US bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 10 June 2026
More than 170,000 apartments and 330 developments have been allowed to deteriorate over decades.
—Jasmin Sanchez, New York Daily News, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorate
Verb
-
Archer decided to visit a doctor in September 2022 when his symptoms worsened, but doctors initially weren't too concerned.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
-
On Monday night the Pacifica City Council extended an emergency declaration over the pier's condition, which has worsened from cracks in the concrete to a large chasm.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The country’s ministry of culture and sports set out a series of rules and regulations which included no pyro, no face paint and no shouting of words that could be degrading towards any person on the field, not even the referee.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
The bones also were coated with a light layer of minerals from the surrounding seawater, which may have prevented them from degrading.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
In the background, in the doorway of a crumbling stone building, stands a tiny, faceless figure, her arms held neatly behind her back.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
But his empire began to crumble in 2022 when FTX filed for bankruptcy after experiencing billions of dollars in net withdrawals, fueling panic in the crypto industry.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Over the course of two summers, the Kings weakened the fulcrum of their roster by losing Matt Roy and Vladislav Gavrikov in free agency, then exacerbating matters by casting off Jordan Spence for a modest return.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
-
The acid can etch, discolor, or weaken stone and concrete.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Ohtani declined a post-game interview request Thursday.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
-
The number of stray dog reports has declined in recent years.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Character also involves standing up to people who are bankrupting and corrupting this country.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
-
Systems must remain safe not only when components fail naturally, but when data is corrupted, communication is interrupted or execution is violated.—
John Wall,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Each spring the skies over central Nebraska fill with a special sound—a rolling, trumpeting, almost prehistoric chorus—as a slew of sandhill cranes descend on the wide and shallow reaches of the Platte River.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
The Bay Area missed out on hosting powerhouse nations such as Germany, Spain, Brazil or France, but the eight countries set to descend on the region still have a healthy amount of star power on their rosters, even if there is no Lionel Messi or Lamine Yamal to be seen.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
While those shortfalls are diminishing, any sudden expenses, including those caused by factors outside of the city’s control, could quickly add to that burden.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
-
None of that diminishes anything for each of the 1,248 players who will participate.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorate. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
