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 Massillon’s courage Throughout the attacks, Massillon was the first official to alert journalists, describing the deteriorating security situation while also appealing for help. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 But the building hasn’t housed anyone since early 2025, when SHO moved everyone out due to deteriorating building conditions. — Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026 However, these fragile states can deteriorate through interactions with the environment and imperfections in hardware. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026 Johnson in March 2026 observed that Jones’ mental health had deteriorated in the previous three months. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deteriorate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorate

Verb

The concern is, if the trade wars continue or worsen, that there will be an even steeper decline to the industry area was built on.

— Saige Miller, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
Those issues worsened when sixth-year receiver Ben Ford exited Saturday’s game at halftime with an injury, after already recording four catches for 45 yards.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of worsen

Verb

With so few ancient samples of dodo DNA surviving—and that which does exist having degraded over the centuries—the analytic and number-crunching power of AI is just what’s needed to fill in the genetic blanks.

— Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
The partnership aims to keep the platform connected when military operations disrupt or degrade individual network links.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of degrade

Verb

By Saturday night, Long Beach reported that seawater had entered homes and into streets, with the city’s Peninsula neighborhood being hard hit, and its boardwalk crumbling.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
As Ray goes down the rabbit hole, the shiny facade of Metropia and Megamax (which is, notably and obviously evil from the start) begin to crumble.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of crumble

Verb

But while those will provide short-term relief, the currency is expected to weaken toward the end of the year and mid-2027, and a 100 rupee-per-dollar mark could not be ruled out, strategists said.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
However, following his arrest, the owner, Mohammad Khan, blamed this week's rains for weakening one of the roofs, according to police, who said the investigation was still underway.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

Rousseau argued that societies were happiest before agriculture and metal production corrupted them.

— Saar Shahar, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
Documentarian Alex Gibney is no stranger to dissections of corrupting power — from his feature dives into Enron, Elizabeth Holmes and Scientology.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of corrupt

Verb

But this morning an air of foreboding awakened me, and my little fishing barometer was already descending past the 29 mark.

— Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Authorities say Riek and his passengers were flying to Menominee from Kenosha, and the NTSB said Riek reported icing on the wings and needed to descend.

— Frankie McLister, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of descend

Verb

The National Weather Service said rainfall was diminishing in the area but that rapid river rises and flooding remained possible.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
The culture surrounding the use of alcohol has diminished in younger generations, at least anecdotally, Haddock said.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminish

Browse Nearby Words

deterging

deteriorate

deteriorated

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Style

“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorate. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deteriorate

verb

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