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 The company’s financial position had been deteriorating for several years. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026 One of the most notable pieces of information to emerge that week was that Clark’s standing at ESPN had deteriorated ahead of the network’s first Super Bowl broadcast in 2027. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 Its relationships with European and other foreign governments have deteriorated, and those divisions now complicate the international discussions over postwar arrangements in Gaza. — Nadia Schadlow, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026 When Lizzie was just 2 years old, her mother’s health began to deteriorate. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deteriorate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorate

Verb

Because of the pain from tooth damage, the may have upped their betel nut consumption, ultimately worsening the addiction.

— Devika Rao, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
Holzmann said the worsening economic conditions are pushing the Kast administration to race against the clock to translate medium- and long-term initiatives into concrete actions that have a direct impact on citizens’ pockets.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of worsen

Verb

Simply douse it with mildly alkaline water, and the polymer begins degrading, breaking down within minutes.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2026
Enhancing an enzyme’s plastic-degrading speed typically required extensive genetic modifications that compromised its structural integrity.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of degrade

Verb

The agency spokesperson says that the anechoic chamber hadn’t been upgraded since 1997 and that its microwave-absorbing foam spires were crumbling.

— Eric Niiler, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026
The planters are original to the stadium’s 1962 construction, and many had crumbled badly enough over the decades to need painstaking repair.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of crumble

Verb

Higher borrowing costs can eventually weaken loan demand and increase stress among borrowers.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
Recent polling supports the article’s claim that Latino support has weakened amid concerns about inflation, immigration enforcement, jobs and wages.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

But, in Hagwon, Lee does not seem interested in the ways in which her diplomatic, kind, generous characters might be corrupted.

— Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
And by engaging with these powerful militaries, the group reinforced its self-image as a major regional player that was uniquely capable of liberating the Muslim world from corrupting American and Israeli influence.

— April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of corrupt

Verb

Cooler weather is forecast to quickly descend into the Treasure Valley.

— Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2026
Fall colors descend by elevation, starting at elevations above 10,000 feet above sea level in September and peaking at the highest elevations around the fall equinox.

— Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of descend

Verb

Theirs is the paramount love story here, which works well in some ways but less so in others, somehow diminishing the stakes of their respective longing for Edward Ferrars (George MacKay) and Willoughby (Frank Dillane).

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
But people have decided to use their savings and savings is diminishing.

— CBS News, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of diminish

Browse Nearby Words

deterging

deteriorate

deteriorated

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorate. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of deteriorate

verb

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