DETERIORATE Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

deteriorate

verb

di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt

Definition of deteriorate

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

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 Early in the cycle, Democrats were considered underdogs to retake the Senate, but that sentiment has shifted dramatically in their favor due to a deteriorating political environment for Republicans worsened by the war in Iran. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026 The dominance of drone warfare in this conflict makes aboveground travel extremely dangerous, and services and supplies have deteriorated sharply since May. — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2026 By the time targets are missed, the underlying conditions may have been deteriorating for weeks. — Allison Mais, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026 The humanitarian situation has deteriorated in recent months. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deteriorate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorate

Verb

Her chances at having a baby only seemed to worsen in 2014, when a colorectal surgeon attempted to reposition her stoma — an opening in the abdomen through which waste exits the body — to make pregnancy possible, but the surgery was unsuccessful.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2026
Considering Intel's guidance on the worsening PC slowdown, commentary on current-quarter demand will carry more weight than the September-quarter results.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of worsen

Verb

With a major election less than a week away, candidates and their consultants are pounding Floridians with a barrage of words — some intended to cast themselves in a flattering light, some intended to smear and degrade their opponents.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Faulkner said he is fed up with Citation’s yearslong pattern of degrading his pastures.

— Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of degrade

Verb

Before it was demolished in the early 1800s, his crumbling mansion was said to be haunted by ghosts and strange occurrences.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
While the bread is toasting, cook sausage in a large skillet, crumbling it into pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned, 3 minutes.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of crumble

Verb

The regime remains capable of suppressing any organized resistance in the country, but the growing disaffection of the elite threatens to weaken the state from within.

— Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026
Eisenkot's allies could also try to reverse legislation advanced by Netanyahu's government that critics say weakened Israel's democratic institutions and judicial independence.

— Itay Stern, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

At every stop, Talarico has argued that, for too long, the wealthy and their donations have corrupted politics, and that this corruption has fueled the affordability crisis.

— STEVEN SLOAN, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
And that includes his warning that TV news has been corrupted by the agendas of the powerful, wealthy billionaires who now control a large portion of the media.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of corrupt

Verb

Some 100,000 people descended on the neighborhood, causing human traffic jams in the narrow streets.

— Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
To keep released fish alive, Florida Sea Grant’s Return ’Em Right program urges anglers to use descending devices, which return fish quickly to depth, and offers free devices to those who complete an online course.

— Tovar Cerulli, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of descend

Verb

Except in the extreme, legislators are loath to devalue local autonomy while also prioritizing delivery of state aid to diminish local tax burdens.

— David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
While rain chances will diminish, clouds will hang tough through much of the day, and northeast winds will pick up slightly to 5 to 10 mph.

— Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminish

Browse Nearby Words

deterging

deteriorate

deteriorated

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Style

“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorate. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of deteriorate

verb

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