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

Some experts point to worsening public health since the 2008 financial crisis, citing factors such as growing obesity, long hospital waiting times, the cost-of-living crisis and other social causes.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
His latest promise — which, like the others, would require approval from Congress — would probably cost more than $1 trillion, adding to the ballooning deficit and worsening inflation.

— Melissa Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of worsen

Verb

Germany's Constitutional Court ruled last year that the extradition was unlawful because it could not be guaranteed that the defendant would not be subject to inhumane or degrading treatment in Hungarian custody.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
Moscow no longer hopes to win by merely capturing cities, or even by degrading Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

— Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of degrade

Verb

During her time in office, the city has weathered federal immigration raids and witnessed a continuing exit of Hollywood jobs, while residents complain about dirty, crumbling streets and homeless encampments.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Hikers will uncover Romanesque ruins, ancient forests, crumbling monasteries, and orange groves along their way.

— Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of crumble

Verb

Fink said the churn weakens the tie between a worker and an employer.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Other potential causes are higher rates of chronic stress, depression and anxiety, as well as autoimmune diseases, which weaken the immune system, Curhan said.

— Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

The parties involved in the litigation—as well as Red Lobster itself, which is not being sued—declined to comment for this article, but their court filings lay out the sad saga in dramatic detail.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
But campus police made no arrests, and the district attorney, Matthew Van Houten, initially declined to pursue charges against the seven fraternity brothers.

— Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

Ambitious mukbang-ers eager to prove their gastronomic stamina descended on Red Lobster locations across the country to consume absurd quantities of shrimp.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
The plane descended sharply, losing half its altitude in less than two minutes, before other crew members took control of the Boeing 737 Max and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

— Victoria Craw, Washington Post, 1 Oct. 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

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“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorate. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deteriorate

verb

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