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 Oil and gas haven’t yet been targeted by either side, but of course that could change as relations continue to deteriorate. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 Keep the effort easy enough that your movement quality improves rather than deteriorates. — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026 Each function can hit its KPI while the overall customer or commercial outcome deteriorates. — Sumit Srivastava, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026 My physical and mental health would have only deteriorated further. — Taylor Tomlinson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deteriorate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorate

Verb

These holes are notorious for getting plugged with debris, worsening water accumulation.

— Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026
Many identified themselves as teachers, noting that pandemic-era disruptions to in-class learning severely worsened reading deficits.

— Chris Fusco, Sacbee.com, 27 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

Yes, that’s twice as many treatment options as the previous Series 2 mask—which means this pick is clinically proven to diminish the appearance of crepiness by stimulating collagen and elastin, as well as pigmentation concerns.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026
Likewise, the failure to hire an effective leader for the Blockchain Association has diminished the industry’s influence in the Capitol.

— Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of diminish

Browse Nearby Words

deterging

deteriorate

deteriorated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorate. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of deteriorate

verb

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