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
No on-site physician assessed Hylton for hours, despite his rapidly deteriorating condition.
—
Frank Landymore, Futurism, 8 Apr. 2026
Israel withdrew its diplomats amid security concerns and deteriorating relations with Turkey, following the war in Gaza.
—Suzan Fraser, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Israel withdrew its diplomats amid security concerns and deteriorating relations with Turkey during the war in Gaza.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
The appalling conditions inside the detention center have been well-documented by the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, including insufficient medical and prenatal care, extreme temperatures, nutritional neglect, and deteriorating mental health.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Frank Landymore, Futurism, 8 Apr. 2026
Israel withdrew its diplomats amid security concerns and deteriorating relations with Turkey, following the war in Gaza.
—Suzan Fraser, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Israel withdrew its diplomats amid security concerns and deteriorating relations with Turkey during the war in Gaza.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
The appalling conditions inside the detention center have been well-documented by the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, including insufficient medical and prenatal care, extreme temperatures, nutritional neglect, and deteriorating mental health.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 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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Summary sourcing, however, degraded with Gemini 3.—
Jon Martindale,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
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Israel appears to have taken the lead on assassinating even low-level figures linked to Iran’s nuclear program while systematically degrading the knowledge centers that could prove useful in the future.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Other signs warned of danger from crumbling masonry overhead, though there was none of the scaffolding that might accompany such notices.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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The Mavericks have been out of the playoff race for weeks in a season that started with high expectations but crumbled with Anthony Davis' continuing injury issues and eventual trade to Washington.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 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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His parents declined to comment to reporters afterward.—
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
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The new listings, published Wednesday by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, cite factors such as warming ocean waters, melting sea ice and declining availability of food to sustain such species.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An early discussion about social contracts comes down to us in Plato’s dialogue Crito in which Socrates, condemned to death for allegedly corrupting the youth, refused an offer to escape from prison.—
George G. Szpiro,
Big Think,
9 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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A day that had started with the promise of a procession towards another green jacket had descended into a scenic – and unwelcome – navigation of the Augusta National course.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2026
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As the Transit officers descended down to the 4/5/6 platform, one of Griffin’s victims came staggering up the stairs, seeking medial attention, Tisch said.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
11 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 15 Apr. 2026.
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