1
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
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
And if the economy deteriorates and the labor market materially weakens at the same time?
—
Allie Canal, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
As her vision deteriorates, Penny turns to psychoanalysis not in hopes of reversing her condition, but to confront years of denial and silence.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2026
Europe is tightening the net on Russian oil being shipped through its waters, squeezing Moscow’s ability to fund its war even as officials and business executives in Russia fear the window is narrowing to reach a peace deal before the economy deteriorates.
—Catherine Belton, Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2026
Emily Demirdonder, director of operations and marketing at Proximity Plumbing, said the rubber backing deteriorates in hot water and breaks apart during the spin cycle, and those fragments can block drain pumps and drainage pipes—sometimes leading to flooding and machine failure.
—Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2026
Staying at home when weather deteriorates will allow essential personnel to travel more safely to work.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2026
The warning comes as the fiscal situation deteriorates.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026
It is measured by decisions made when performance deteriorates.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The Kyiv Post reported Thursday that Ukrainian military officials say Russian units left inside the city are cut off from reliable supply lines and are increasingly surrendering as their position deteriorates.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Allie Canal, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
As her vision deteriorates, Penny turns to psychoanalysis not in hopes of reversing her condition, but to confront years of denial and silence.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2026
Europe is tightening the net on Russian oil being shipped through its waters, squeezing Moscow’s ability to fund its war even as officials and business executives in Russia fear the window is narrowing to reach a peace deal before the economy deteriorates.
—Catherine Belton, Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2026
Emily Demirdonder, director of operations and marketing at Proximity Plumbing, said the rubber backing deteriorates in hot water and breaks apart during the spin cycle, and those fragments can block drain pumps and drainage pipes—sometimes leading to flooding and machine failure.
—Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2026
Staying at home when weather deteriorates will allow essential personnel to travel more safely to work.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2026
The warning comes as the fiscal situation deteriorates.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026
It is measured by decisions made when performance deteriorates.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The Kyiv Post reported Thursday that Ukrainian military officials say Russian units left inside the city are cut off from reliable supply lines and are increasingly surrendering as their position deteriorates.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorates
Verb
-
While drought impacts water utilities in the Western states more directly, saltwater from coastal flooding worsens groundwater quality, and extreme cold can wear on pipes.—
Charlotte Slovin,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The presenters discussed how periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease that worsens with age, affects the bone and tissues supporting the teeth.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even the best, thickest landscape fabric degrades.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Announced on March 6, this development addresses the issue of transistor overheating, which typically degrades processor performance.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Loyalty, betrayal, illness and war all bear down on the group as the old order crumbles around them.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The song was inspired by surviving a toxic relationship, and then finding a true-hearted love that crumbles emotional walls.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And if the economy deteriorates and the labor market materially weakens at the same time?—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Without this supply from the updraft, the storm weakens and dissipates.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The European social set descends on this Cape Town party spot every summer for its white sand and chilly blue water, as well as the trendy clubs and hotels that lie in the shadow of the Twelve Apostles mountain range.—
Melanie van Zyl,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The scouting combine is the unofficial kickoff to the NFL offseason, as the entire football universe descends on Indianapolis’ abundant hotel lobbies and steakhouses to have discussions about free agency and the draft.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
His relationship with his Jewish neighbors, the Brodskys, grows closer as Nazi power corrupts France.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
As Jay Jonah Atterbury, one of a handful of new characters on the fourth season of Industry, Kal Penn weaponizes and corrupts the stoner quirks viewers may recognize from his years playing Kumar Patel in the Harold & Kumar films.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Both trade lanes experienced 19 percent volume declines.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Mar. 2026
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This comes at a fiscally dire time for Broward County Public Schools, which has lost significant revenue as school enrollment declines each year.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Later that season, Eric humiliates Bill in front of their Pierpoint colleagues by insulting his work quality and Bill dies from brain cancer.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Thecla humiliates him by ripping his robe and tearing the wreath off his head.—
Christy Cobb,
The Conversation,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorates. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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