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
Others still have nonstick coatings that deteriorate in time.
—
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 July 2025
City officials have said there are other factors at play, too, including the viaducts’ deteriorating conditions.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 29 July 2025
Trump’s remarks come as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate at a pace that United Nations officials now warn could be irreversible without a sustained ceasefire and unfettered access for aid.
—Nik Popli, Time, 28 July 2025
Over the following years, his relationship with his mother deteriorated.
—Daniela Avila, People.com, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 July 2025
City officials have said there are other factors at play, too, including the viaducts’ deteriorating conditions.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 29 July 2025
Trump’s remarks come as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate at a pace that United Nations officials now warn could be irreversible without a sustained ceasefire and unfettered access for aid.
—Nik Popli, Time, 28 July 2025
Over the following years, his relationship with his mother deteriorated.
—Daniela Avila, People.com, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorate
Verb
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This misinformation can also lead to insurance denials, distorted retirement planning, and worsened stigma.—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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Most of the Corn Belt and Midwest remain drought-free, except for northern Illinois where conditions worsened, the agency said.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Poor sizing can result in uneven temperatures, higher utility bills, potentially shorter equipment lifespan, and degraded indoor air quality.—
Brynn Cooksey,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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The city has earmarked money, some $91 million, but not for a targeted effort to stop the opioid crisis from degrading the quality of life for Boston residents.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
29 July 2025
Verb
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The school plans to kick off the upcoming high school football season with the new seating, which replaced crumbling concrete bleachers that were estimated at roughly 50 years old.—
Katie Nixon,
The Tennessean,
25 July 2025
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But a crumbling park does far more to make international visitors feel unwelcome than a surcharge ever could.—
Tate Watkins,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Also in the Pacific, Tropical Depression Iona, over 1,400 miles west of Honolulu, continued weakening as it was expected to cross the International Date Line on Saturday, according to a hurricane center advisory.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
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Alcohol also weakens the valve that keeps stomach acid in place, leading to reflux and heartburn.—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Brown-Forman's sales declined 5% in the 2025 fiscal year, partly due to ongoing tariff disputes.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
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Trump has made fighting big city crime and disorder a major plank of his second White House term, although most measures show crime is declining.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
24 July 2025
Verb
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For parents worried about the elementary-school set being corrupted by the lustful goings-on at Love Island, the good news is that nearly all of the show’s kids’ viewership (424 million out of 474 million minutes streamed) was among the 12-and-up crowd.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
31 July 2025
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At crucial junctures, the prime minister’s choices have been corrupted by the need to cater to those with the ability to end his grip on power.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
29 July 2025
Verb
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Riders descend the steep volcanic slope at speeds up to 40 miles per hour, wearing jumpsuits and goggles for protection.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
26 July 2025
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The company descended into a form of professional wrestling madness as storylines no longer made sense, with the curtain frequently pulled back to expose pro wrestling in a way that was heresy to many longtime fans.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Rarely has an executive ever shown the kind of patience that Getz is displaying with the 2023 All-Star and Silver Slugger winner, who has diminished his trade value by hitting .219 with a .656 OPS since the start of ’24.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorate. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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