deteriorate

verb

di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce deteriorate (audio)
Definition of deterioratenext
1
as in to worsen
to become worse or of less value the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Police in New Delhi forcibly moved education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital after his health deteriorated during a 20-day hunger strike. — Aijaz Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026 Police forcibly transferred a prominent activist to a hospital in New Delhi on Saturday after his health deteriorated during a 20-day hunger strike tied to India’s viral Cockroach Janta Party movement for education reform. — ABC News, 18 July 2026 News to Know Smoke affects multiple sports Air quality across the northern United States has deteriorated in the last two days due to Canadian wildfires, with various sporting events impacted. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026 Kennywood cut its hours short on July 16 and was set to remain closed indefinitely as smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota caused Pittsburgh's air quality to deteriorate. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorate
  1. worsen
  2. degrade
  3. crumble
  4. weaken
  5. decline
  6. corrupt
  7. descend
  8. diminish
Verb
  • According to court documents, Wilson’s relationship with the producers had started deteriorating before filming began in 2023 – and worsened during post-production.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • Weakening commodity prices and a worsening industrial relations climate in Australia is draining investor enthusiasm for the world’s biggest mining company, BHP.
    — Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of worsen
Verb
  • Many lubricants aren't silicone-safe and can actually degrade the surface of silicone products over time.
    — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Residents fear adding another logistics hub nearby will further degrade air quality in the region.
    — Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Definition of degrade
Verb
  • Inspired by the bright, herb-forward flavors of traditional Middle Eastern tabbouleh, this hearty variation replaces bulgur with fluffy couscous and adds roasted eggplant and crumbled feta for extra substance and depth.
    — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
  • Tribal leaders warn that unstable oversight and crumbling facilities endanger Native students’ futures.
    — Savannah Peters, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of crumble
Verb
  • That makes the hot and cold sides quickly equalize, clearly weakening electricity generation.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026
  • The Kospi Index has tumbled 25% since its June peak, resulting in a $1 trillion wipeout that threatens to weaken its global clout.
    — Winnie Hsu, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Definition of weaken
Verb
  • Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, who previously oversaw the prosecution against Hermes, declined to comment on the closed criminal case or Hermes’ campaign.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
  • However, declining vaccination rates fueled by vaccine hesitancy have created pockets of susceptible individuals where the virus can spread quickly.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
Definition of decline
Verb
  • The unsightly mushroom could have corrupted her maids’ morals, or even their health.
    — Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 9 July 2026
  • Radiation from space and other high-energy environments can corrupt data or permanently damage conventional electronics.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026
Definition of corrupt
Verb
  • Yet, as the WNBA descends upon Chicago for All-Star weekend, Engelbert is reaching an inflection point in her tenure.
    — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • The complaints about regulations are one of the many cases where SNGA descends into political and cultural grievance.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2026
Definition of descend
Verb
  • None of these concerns diminish the strength of the Jersey Mike’s brand.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • At 28 years old, clubs will also factor in his diminishing resale value.
    — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of diminish

Browse Nearby Words

deterging
deteriorate
deteriorated
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Cite this Entry

“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorate. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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