1
as in worsens
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 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
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Recent Examples of deteriorates
Exposure to such content also deteriorates her audience’s ability to form beliefs on the basis of the evidence and primes them for skepticism toward consequential matters like vaccines and medicine.
—
Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
There is still plenty of long-term risk, depending on the rate at which Connor’s game deteriorates in his 30s.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Breaking them down to save for a later date isn’t enough, as bugs will still nestle their way in even as the cardboard deteriorates.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Our hygiene deteriorates.
—Eli Sharabi, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
Still, strategists cited risks related to the impact of tariffs on inflation and the potential for consumer spending to slow down if the labor market deteriorates further.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Eventually, due to lack of movement, muscle tissue deteriorates, and parts of your body stop functioning permanently.
—Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Trust erodes, culture deteriorates, and the long-term health of the organization is put at risk.
—Christopher Kaufman, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
This means green signals are inherently weaker, and when outdoor sunlight adds noise, the measurement range shrinks even further, and accuracy deteriorates.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
There is still plenty of long-term risk, depending on the rate at which Connor’s game deteriorates in his 30s.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Breaking them down to save for a later date isn’t enough, as bugs will still nestle their way in even as the cardboard deteriorates.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Our hygiene deteriorates.
—Eli Sharabi, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
Still, strategists cited risks related to the impact of tariffs on inflation and the potential for consumer spending to slow down if the labor market deteriorates further.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Eventually, due to lack of movement, muscle tissue deteriorates, and parts of your body stop functioning permanently.
—Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Trust erodes, culture deteriorates, and the long-term health of the organization is put at risk.
—Christopher Kaufman, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
This means green signals are inherently weaker, and when outdoor sunlight adds noise, the measurement range shrinks even further, and accuracy deteriorates.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorates
Verb
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Hitching a trailer to any vehicle dramatically worsens aerodynamics, essentially turning it into a giant parachute.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The raw sewage rises to the surface, adding to the unbearable stink, which spreads and worsens with every passing day.—
Eli Sharabi,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This process degrades the mirrors' reflectivity and clarity over time, so technicians regularly recoat and polish them to ensure the best precision.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
That performance degrades over time.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Toby’s display, overall, looks a lot nicer, but when Paul goes to take a slice of his cake from the chocolate case, the whole thing crumbles to a mess.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 Oct. 2025
-
At times, the house would break apart onstage, with the top half lifted in the air, only for YoungBoy to start aggressively rapping, standing supreme while the house crumbles around him.—
Jayson Buford,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Blocking them causes disruption to the cells’ energy-generating mitochondria and leads to oxidative stress, which further weakens cancer.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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Even as the storm weakens over Baja California, its tropical moisture will continue to drift north, fueling intense downpours and possible flooding across the Southwest.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As music and dance meld in celebration of artistry, culture and history, an evil descends, threatening to devour the fabric and heart of the community — and all that Smoke and Stack have worked to achieve.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The chain is routed through the center of the buoy, passes over a gypsy wheel, and descends again, while excess chain hangs freely to accommodate movement.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Crypto declines, however, have the reverse effect.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Unless LaVine miraculously declines his $49 million for 2026-27, the Kings may be left to just extend Murray, re-sign Ellis and run it back for another year.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To show him who’s boss, Catherine turns around and buys Pac-North, humiliates him by closing it, and forces him back to Grey Sloan.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Oct. 2025
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There’s always a moment in which somebody humiliates the villain and now all the love in him is gone.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorates. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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