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
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
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
As this cartilage deteriorates, bones rub against each other, leading to inflammation, pain, and stiffness.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
Unworthy of assistance, they are often neglected until their condition deteriorates and their homelessness becomes chronic.
—Christopher Calton, Oc Register, 4 Dec. 2025
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
As this cartilage deteriorates, bones rub against each other, leading to inflammation, pain, and stiffness.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
Unworthy of assistance, they are often neglected until their condition deteriorates and their homelessness becomes chronic.
—Christopher Calton, Oc Register, 4 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorates
Verb
-
Doctors monitor progression and severity of the disease by measuring the size of the left ventricle, the heart’s muscle that pumps blood to the body, which shrinks as the condition worsens.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Software stock slide worsens on AI fears US software stocks sank further Tuesday on swelling investor fears that new AI tools will eat their lunch.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This is dangerous and degrades our country -- where are Senate Republicans?—
Justin Gomez,
ABC News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The reactor facilitates rapid heat dissipation, preventing the thermal runaway that typically degrades catalysts.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Academic success means little if a child crumbles under stress.—
Dr. Mona Amin,
CNBC,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Cutting the International Affairs Budget (which includes USAID) weakens our global leadership and can leave preventable crises to become a problem later on.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
That pattern weakens the polar vortex’s grip on cold air, allowing Arctic air to spill into the central and southern United States.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Houston Chronicle,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As a small rural settlement is swiftly and ruthlessly stripped bare by the twin plagues of a diphtheria epidemic and spreading wildfires, the film eventually descends into a near-literal hellscape, though even when pandemonium takes over on screen, Van Dusen’s formal control never wavers.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
As the friends and business rivals debate their level of responsibility and decide on a course of action, the weekend descends into scheming, politicking, and violence.—
Ilana Gordon,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 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
-
Their research and resulting report, for instance, found that over the past five recessions, the total GDP declines from dips in tourism averaged a 10% dip.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
When the estrogen hormone declines during perimenopause, the body’s insulin sensitivity decreases, too, which affects overall metabolism.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Thecla humiliates him by ripping his robe and tearing the wreath off his head.—
Christy Cobb,
The Conversation,
16 Jan. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorates. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
