Synonyms of deteriorate

deteriorate

verb

di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt 

1

as in to worsen

to become worse or of less value

the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect

Synonyms & Similar Words

• worsen
• crumble
• decline
• descend
• diminish
• rot
• degenerate
• devolve
• decay
• sink
• disintegrate
• weaken
• regress
• atrophy
• ebb
• retrograde
• sag
• degrade
• wane
• dwindle
• decompose
• recede
• fall
• go to seed
• reduce
• slip
• go to pot
• putrefy
• downsize
• undermine
• sour
• abate
• dilapidate
• spoil
• corrupt
• fail
• debilitate
• lessen
• languish
• wilt
• droop
• waste (away)
• de-escalate
• molder
• break down
• lower
• lag
• run down
• flag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improve
• better
• ameliorate
• upgrade
• intensify
• enhance
• strengthen
• develop
• enrich
• proceed
• meliorate
• heighten
• fortify
• progress
• advance
• march

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

• degrade
• weaken
• corrupt
• humiliate
• destroy
• poison
• dilute
• subvert
• damage
• ruin
• lessen
• debauch
• debase
• pervert
• deprave
• demean
• mar
• disgrace
• cheapen
• vitiate
• warp
• hurt
• prostitute
• pollute
• contaminate
• demoralize
• dirty
• bastardize
• abase
• impair
• taint
• shame
• canker
• harm
• thin
• humble
• wreck
• profane
• spoil
• water down
• tarnish
• defile
• dishonor
• flaw
• begrime
• stain
• depreciate
• descend
• take down
• downgrade
• befoul
• deface
• blemish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improve
• better
• elevate
• uplift
• enhance
• honor
• perfect
• ameliorate
• amend
• enrich
• exalt
• ennoble
• restore
• clarify
• refine
• clean
• dignify
• purify
• cleanse
• respect
• meliorate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deteriorate

Set during the first days of summer, as inflation rises, power cuts intensify and a solar eclipse approaches, the film follows Bego, 12, left to occupy herself while her family contends with the country’s deteriorating economy. — Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 30 July 2026

Prosecutors said Colin Gray ignored warning signs about his son's deteriorating mental health and continued providing him with access to guns, including the AR-15-style rifle authorities said was used in the attack. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Colt Gray, who was 14 at the time of the shooting, had shown signs of deteriorating mental health in the weeks leading up to the killings, according to testimony during his sentencing hearing. — Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

Why nursing jobs are getting more difficult Conditions for nurses were bad before the pandemic, got even worse during it, and appear to be deteriorating further a few years out, according to research Lasater and her colleagues recently published. — Alana Semuels, Time, 30 July 2026