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
Meetings grow tense, and communication deteriorates.
—
Niurys Robaina, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
There’s less maintenance and less investment in them, so the individual property deteriorates.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 4 June 2026
Over time, the bond between the sliding frame and the glass can deteriorate, causing the moonroof glass to become detached while the car is operating.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Surging costs for utilities, insurance and labor without rising revenues have led some to deteriorate, pushing landlords to default on loans.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Niurys Robaina, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
There’s less maintenance and less investment in them, so the individual property deteriorates.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 4 June 2026
Over time, the bond between the sliding frame and the glass can deteriorate, causing the moonroof glass to become detached while the car is operating.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Surging costs for utilities, insurance and labor without rising revenues have led some to deteriorate, pushing landlords to default on loans.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorate
Verb
-
Several years ago, during a medical emergency of my own, I had already been evaluated by a physician and advised to seek emergency care if my symptoms worsened.—
Iyesatta Massaquoi Emeli,
STAT,
2 June 2026
-
This is every summer, right now, for the 200,000 people who live here — a public health emergency that is worsening with the global climate crisis and exacerbated even further by an onslaught of irresponsible development.—
Daniela Flores,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Damaged pans may be harder to use safely and may continue degrading with heat, cleaning and metal utensils.—
Ryan Brennan
June 2,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
-
Years of degrading the Star Wars legacy with terrible, unwatchable streaming series and the disappointing end of the previous trilogy have taken their toll.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Hyde has McCallany playing Detective Grimes, a haunted investigator descending into the decaying underbelly of a crumbling metropolis while hunting a brutal serial killer.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
1 June 2026
-
They were set in crumbling castles and moldering dungeons—that is, amid the rubble of a collapsing social order.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The Reserve Bank of Australia will likely focus on the strength of private demand before factoring in the conflict, alongside inflation risks stemming from weak productivity and rising unit labor costs, according to Stenner, who expects household consumption to weaken in the second quarter.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
Critics counter that scarcity alone does not guarantee value if investor demand weakens.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
His Democratic Party then went further by pushing a special counsel that could cancel the charges against him outright -- a move Lee declined to endorse or oppose publicly.—
Joohee Cho,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
-
Writers and reporters at the conference are learning how to improve their coverage of topics, including changes to education at the federal and state levels, the use of artificial intelligence in schools, and declining enrollment.—
Kellye Lynn,
CBS News,
4 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
-
At least 45 people were arrested in Paris on Saturday after celebrations over Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory descended into chaos, with fires set, businesses vandalized and crowds clashing with police.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
In humans, the larynx has descended far down into the neck.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
According to the alliance, the theme emphasizes the LGBTQ+ community's place in American society, calls for resistance against efforts to diminish their rights and visibility and encourages people to live openly, proudly and without apology.—
Mike Stunson,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
Confidence Doesn’t Require an Apology Corporate culture often reinforces self-diminishing behavior.—
Kelly Ehlers,
Rolling Stone,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorate. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
