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 Though the transplant was successful, Haggerty’s health continued to deteriorate. — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 6 July 2026 Fresh sanctions by the US have also further deteriorated the Cuban economy and prevented many tourists from visiting the island. — Michael Rios, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 Klement suggested that recent weakness reflects investors rotating into AI trades rather than deteriorating defense fundamentals. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026 They can also be used for de-aging characters, creating performances in different languages, or preserving the voice or likeness of an actor whose health is deteriorating, as was the case with CAA client Eric Dane. — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 6 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
  • The noise progresses to a rough grinding sound and performance worsens.
    — Keith Laing, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • Growing evidence suggests visible light, particularly high-energy visible (blue) light from sunlight, can worsen pigmentation in people prone to melasma and in those with darker skin tones.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 7 July 2026
Definition of worsen
Verb
  • There’s no danger of spontaneous mass illiteracy, but the complex cognitive skills that reading fosters start to degrade.
    — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • Weather changes, tires degrade, a safety car appears, a driver reports instability or an opponent pits earlier than expected, and the team has seconds to decide whether to stay with the plan or change it.
    — Erum Manzoor, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of degrade
Verb
  • Throughout the album, mary in the junkyard shift constantly, moving from crumbling atmospheric experiments to cloudy Pacific Northwest indie rock to the kind of straightforward classical guitar poems of Leonard Cohen’s early albums.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 7 July 2026
  • An islandwide blackout plunged Cuba’s nearly 10 million residents into darkness Monday, exposing a crumbling power grid and dwindling fuel reserves as officials raced to restore electricity.
    — Milexsy Durán, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of crumble
Verb
  • The flow of dark traffic is one of the factors that helped explain why oil markets had weakened significantly by early June, together with a surge in exports from the US and pullback in buying by China.
    — Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • But as several surveys have consistently indicated, optimism about our country's outlook has undeniably weakened.
    — Robert Hormats, Time, 4 July 2026
Definition of weaken
Verb
  • After years of declining sales, American Girl dolls are seeing a resurgence.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • In May, during a tense commission meeting, a majority of commissioners declined to give her a raise after her first year on the job.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Definition of decline
Verb
  • Exploits will trigger guest-side actions alone to corrupt the host kernel’s shadow page, a data structure in the host that assists in the address translation.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026
  • If religion is corrupted by breaking down the wall of separation, much the same is true of the state.
    — Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of corrupt
Verb
  • Another witness said Lopez stood up twice as the aircraft began descending into Las Vegas, went to the restroom, then returned to his seat before suddenly launching the attack.
    — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Around 1,000 attendees are expected to descend on Madison Square Garden over the next two days to celebrate the union of the music superstar and Super Bowl champion.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Definition of descend
Verb
  • Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026
  • The union said that unresolved complaints made against Hawk and existing climate issues have significantly diminished confidence among many educators.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 6 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 9 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deteriorate

Nglish: Translation of deteriorate for Spanish Speakers

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