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
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Recent Examples of deteriorate
In the days that followed, her condition deteriorated.
—
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Mar. 2026
The next two weeks will be critical and the situation could could deteriorate quickly, driving up fuel costs and broader inflation if the conflict drags on, according to energy analyst Vibhuti Garg with the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, or IEEFA, in Delhi.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Some of the reels, beginning to deteriorate, smelled like vinegar.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026
Zelenskyy said yesterday the next meeting between negotiators was scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates later this week, but the deteriorating security situation there could change that.
—Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Mar. 2026
The next two weeks will be critical and the situation could could deteriorate quickly, driving up fuel costs and broader inflation if the conflict drags on, according to energy analyst Vibhuti Garg with the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, or IEEFA, in Delhi.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Some of the reels, beginning to deteriorate, smelled like vinegar.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026
Zelenskyy said yesterday the next meeting between negotiators was scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates later this week, but the deteriorating security situation there could change that.
—Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorate
Verb
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The conflict also threatens to worsen Afghanistan’s already grave humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by Western aid cuts following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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Iran's attack on the Ras Tanura refinery represents a major escalation, a Middle East analyst said, with Iran demonstrating that key Gulf energy infrastructure is within its reach, and investor sentiment was likely to worsen.—
DAVID McHUGH,
Arkansas Online,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Carbon fiber offers high strength but requires high energy consumption to produce and is difficult to degrade.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
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How Long Potting Soil Lasts Potting soil typically degrades after nine to 12 months once the bag is opened and can last up to two years when unopened, says Scott.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The axis started to crumble soon after the attacks.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
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But a review of court records and other documents offers a window into how a technology project envisioned as reshaping education crumbled amid allegations of fraud.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Although weakened, the factions still survive, and could form a powerful, transnational and motivated insurgency when the time comes to fight whatever emerges if the Islamic Republic falls.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
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Several bills that had been filed in the state Senate and House of Representatives, which critics have warned would weaken reporting and training standards for the Department of Child and Family Services, have been put on hold, according to state officials.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Iranian retaliatory attacks appear to be declining — ballistic missile strikes have fallen by 90% and drone attacks by 83%, according to US Central Command — potentially easing pressure on Gulf states that have faced Iranian strikes in recent days.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Bonta’s office declined to comment.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Over time, these invisible strikes can corrupt data, damage components, and shorten a spacecraft’s life.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
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In this way at least, the mayor follows in the path of Socrates by corrupting the young.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Videos circulating on social media showed thick white smoke rising into the sky as one of the aircraft descended.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
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The administration has also sought to exclude mail-in ballots received after Election Day, and federal agents recently descended on Fulton County, Georgia, to seize ballots as part of ongoing claims – rejected repeatedly by the courts – of fraud in the 2020 elections.—
Kica Matos,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Extensive research shows that insufficient sleep is associated with impaired cognitive function, chronic health problems, diminished productivity and an increase in traffic accidents, just to name a few.—
Stephen Neely,
The Conversation,
3 Mar. 2026
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One concern is cognitive offloading, in which decision-makers defer too readily to algorithmic recommendations, effectively diminishing human accountability for strategic choices.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorate. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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