1
as in to worsen
to become worse or of less value
the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deteriorate
But the relationship deteriorated and Ovitz only lasted about 14 months before exiting with quite a large payout for such a short tenure, prompting a nasty and high profile shareholder lawsuit against Eisner and the board in Delaware Chancery Court to claw back the package.
—
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
Some plants are easier, while others can deteriorate overnight, so finding the right plant is paramount.
—Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Haldea cautioned that the secondary market could struggle to absorb a large wave of redemptions if investor sentiment deteriorates sharply.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
The dispute comes as Colombia prepares for presidential elections in May, and relations deteriorate between Colombia and Ecuador, two neighboring nations that were once close commercial and security partners.
—Manuel Rueda, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
Some plants are easier, while others can deteriorate overnight, so finding the right plant is paramount.
—Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Haldea cautioned that the secondary market could struggle to absorb a large wave of redemptions if investor sentiment deteriorates sharply.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
The dispute comes as Colombia prepares for presidential elections in May, and relations deteriorate between Colombia and Ecuador, two neighboring nations that were once close commercial and security partners.
—Manuel Rueda, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorate
Verb
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Burning more coal risks worsening smog in major cities, slowing the transition to renewable energy and increasing the region's planet-warming emissions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Mar. 2026
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The first of three ships carrying food, medical supplies, solar panels, and other humanitarian aid arrived in Cuba on Tuesday, three days behind schedule, as the island grapples with a worsening economic and energy crisis.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Riboua was more skeptical, arguing that Hezbollah would likely survive the collapse of the government in Tehran but would be vastly degraded.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
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While nickel alone tends to degrade quickly, the carbon layer protects it from damage while still allowing the necessary reactions to occur.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Flores said the community continues to struggle with a range of problems, including poor air quality, high poverty rates, weak worker protections and crumbling infrastructure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
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However, as the show begins, the family’s pristine facade is just on the verge of crumbling.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For the country’s leadership, weakened militarily and more isolated than ever, inflicting economic suffering has become the most powerful weapon available.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
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Continuous support could theoretically weaken muscles, so experts advise mixing exo use with traditional ergonomics and exercise.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One person sustained minor injuries but declined hospitalization.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
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Over the next 25 years, East Asia, Europe, and Russia will all experience significant population declines.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Goodwill is corrupted on arrival by the modern virtue of avarice.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
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Helberg, cast as inventor Martin Phister, opens up about their characters who are trying to be virtuous and end up getting corrupted instead.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Storms descended on the states during a bout of unusually hot temps that could linger into early next week, NWS meteorologists said on social media.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2026
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Last summer, as thousands of Border Patrol agents descended on Los Angeles, McGraw was there with a camera crew to the surprise of those who knew him mostly for his daytime-TV therapeutic segments.—
Uwa Ede-Osifo,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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How diminished will their opportunities for success be in the real world?—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
25 Mar. 2026
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Lightning is diminishing over shipping lanes as a result of the use of cleaner fuel.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorate. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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