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
The webbed backing is non-slip and will not deteriorate when cleaned.
—
Tory Johnson, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Views on inflation have also deteriorated, with just over a quarter approving of how the administration is addressing rising prices, down from 44 percent a year ago.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
First, can spores and nutrients in a solid form be mixed in a workable concrete without deteriorating it?
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
But her health deteriorated throughout treatment.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Tory Johnson, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Views on inflation have also deteriorated, with just over a quarter approving of how the administration is addressing rising prices, down from 44 percent a year ago.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
First, can spores and nutrients in a solid form be mixed in a workable concrete without deteriorating it?
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
But her health deteriorated throughout treatment.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorate
Verb
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Deaths have suddenly spiked among the feral horses living on an isolated North Carolina island, and researchers say it’s linked to rising sea level and worsening coastal erosion.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
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This leads to a vicious cycle, as the disease causes sleep disruption, and sleep disruption then worsens the disease, according to the researchers.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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More than 100 aircraft launched from land and sea in the first day, with cyber and space campaigns degrading Iranian communications and sensors while the air campaign struck command-and-control centers, ballistic-missile sites, naval forces and intelligence infrastructure.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
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Instead, officials refocused the strategic narrative on their ambitions to degrade Iran's conventional military – especially ballistic missile – and nuclear programs.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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From crumbling stacks of CDs — featuring Prince, Paul Simon, Kylie Minogue, and PJ Harvey — to old jewelry boxes, and even her beloved first copy of Brothers Grimm’s Fairytale, every item held countless memories that helped Humberstone shape her second album Cruel World.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 2026
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If the dinosaurs and woolly mammoths that once roamed the Earth had since crumbled into dust, then what hope was there for humanity?—
Kathryn Hughes,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Hungary is a major importer of Russian energy and the sanctions would have impacted the country's already weakening economy.—
Hannah Demissie,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
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But instead, the resolution was further weakened to eliminate any reference to Security Council authorization — which is an order for action — and limit its provisions to the Strait of Hormuz.—
Greg Norman-Diamond,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Both declined interview requests.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The Backstreet Boys member attempted to use the video to press battery charges against Gallagher, but prosecutors declined to do so after seeing the video supported Gallagher's version of events, per the outlet.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, the Pima County Sheriff Office investigating Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is facing troubles of its own, as a former sheriff has accused current leadership of ‘corrupting’ the crime scene, and a deputy has been arrested and fired on a kidnapping charge.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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To win, Orbán has to corrupt that searing national memory, and to substitute fear of Ukraine.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Holy Week begins with a triumphal procession, descends into betrayal and death, and ends with resurrection.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
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The avalanche descended approximately 400 vertical feet down a face of Perry’s Peak, creating a debris field about 100 feet wide, the report said.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Panini currently holds licenses for those four federations, continuing the ongoing trend of Fanatics winning licenses, which diminishes Panini’s portfolio.—
Larry Holder,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Competing Colors One painting mistake that will diminish the appearance of even the nicest new kitchen is not thoughtfully considering how your cabinet or wall color will coordinate with other elements in the room.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorate. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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