DETERIORATES Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

deteriorates

verb

present tense third-person singular of deteriorate

as in worsens

to become worse or of less value the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in degrades

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 deteriorates Another six months of war and the negotiating position deteriorates. —

Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 Meetings grow tense, and communication deteriorates. —

Niurys Robaina, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026 There’s less maintenance and less investment in them, so the individual property deteriorates. —

Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 4 June 2026 When the foliage deteriorates in hot summer weather, cut back the foliage. —

Lauren David, Southern Living, 4 June 2026 Accuracy also deteriorates when people are wearing heavy makeup and for young children and old people because their landmark features tend to change more quickly than adults of other ages. —

Vijayan Asari, The Conversation, 2 June 2026 Directed by Martin Scorsese, the neo-noir psychological drama follows De Niro as a taxi driver whose mental state deteriorates while working night shifts in New York City. —

Sharareh Drury, Entertainment Weekly, 25 May 2026 That is why a hedge here makes sense while markets sit near highs, VIX remains compressed near the high teens, and investors are still leaning heavily into a handful of leadership names as the macro backdrop deteriorates. —

Tony Zhang, CNBC, 13 May 2026 Her condition rapidly deteriorates to the point where Abbott and Robby are forced to do a C-Section in the ER, with seconds to spare to save her life and the life of the baby. —

Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorates

Verb

And don't pulverize clay into dust—this worsens soil compaction.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
This worsens the inflammatory response to the initial infection, according to Fleming, who was not involved in the study.

— Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026