1
as in worsening
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 degrading
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
1
as in deteriorated
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in declining
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deteriorating
Lynsey Addario, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
Retail experts saw a lack of investment in Hudson’s Bay stores, diminishing service levels and deteriorating physical conditions, like malfunctioning escalators and water damage in certain locations.
—David Moin, WWD, 24 Mar. 2025
Dahl’s relationship with the police department was deteriorating.
—Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
These spreads expand when investors worry that more bond defaults could be on the horizon, typically driven by deteriorating economic conditions.
—Bill Stone, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
For president, the party ran a deteriorating 81-year-old incumbent who had to drop out roughly 100 days before the election.
—Alex Thompson, Axios, 22 Mar. 2025
Both of Saada’s parents became confused, their memories deteriorating further, a common occurrence for dementia patients removed from their environment or routine.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2025
As cats age, their once white and sharp teeth will start deteriorating, slowly showing signs of yellowing, followed by tartar buildup, and then eventually teeth loss and gum disease.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
The about-face in equity markets has been attributed to the leadership in the Mag 7 deteriorating or repricing in recent weeks.
—Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
His health has been deteriorating since he was diagnosed with a brain tumor as a toddler.
—Lynsey Addario, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
Retail experts saw a lack of investment in Hudson’s Bay stores, diminishing service levels and deteriorating physical conditions, like malfunctioning escalators and water damage in certain locations.
—David Moin, WWD, 24 Mar. 2025
Dahl’s relationship with the police department was deteriorating.
—Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
These spreads expand when investors worry that more bond defaults could be on the horizon, typically driven by deteriorating economic conditions.
—Bill Stone, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
For president, the party ran a deteriorating 81-year-old incumbent who had to drop out roughly 100 days before the election.
—Alex Thompson, Axios, 22 Mar. 2025
Both of Saada’s parents became confused, their memories deteriorating further, a common occurrence for dementia patients removed from their environment or routine.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2025
As cats age, their once white and sharp teeth will start deteriorating, slowly showing signs of yellowing, followed by tartar buildup, and then eventually teeth loss and gum disease.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
The about-face in equity markets has been attributed to the leadership in the Mag 7 deteriorating or repricing in recent weeks.
—Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 21 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorating
Verb
-
Highly flammable tamarisk shrubs have taken root in thick stands near streams in the western US, and eucalyptus — one of the primary invasive trees blamed for worsening Chile’s recent wildfires as well as fires in Portugal — increases wildfire risk in California.—
Kylie Mohr,
Vox,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The United States withdrew its forces from Europe while demanding debt payments from allies, who passed the costs on to Germany, worsening its financial turmoil and hastening its slide into Nazism.—
Michael Beckley,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Boston Metal The key to the success of the recent test that led to the creation of a ton of molten metal is Boston Metal's inert anode which can drive the electrical process in the reactor without degrading.—
Michael Franco,
New Atlas,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The other reason is that our news ecosystem is rapidly degrading, particularly online.—
Jeffrey Blehar,
National Review,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
While pruning, remove any winter damage, along with dead and declining growths, to allow new shoots to reform the plant.—
Tom MacCubbin,
orlandosentinel.com,
6 Mar. 2021
-
In order to reopen, counties must demonstrate declining prevalence of COVID-19, testing ability of 30 tests per 10,000 residents per week, contact tracing and isolation facilities.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
15 May 2020
Verb
-
This stylish planter keeps plants well-watered and is virtually indestructible, designed to resist cracking and crumbling even in freezing temperatures.—
Rachel Ahrnsen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Since gaining public recognition in 2013, a spate of crumbling buildings in Ireland has been known as the mica crisis or scandal.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn’t driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2025
-
With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.—
Jason Schenker,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
And what's in Jim's hand as he's seen descending the stairways?—
Bryan Alexander,
USA TODAY,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Inflation, which had peaked at an annual rate above 9%, was descending fitfully toward the Fed's goal of 2%.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But Pavement remade it in their own gloriously ramshackle way, goosing it with new melodies and rowdy band interaction.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
14 June 2025
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Later that day, they were moved to a ramshackle hut of metal and wood.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
14 June 2025
Verb
-
But the same things that prevent parents from maintaining employment or housing — especially substance abuse and mental illness — often inhibit them from engaging in services, while also diminishing their ability to protect and care for their children.—
Emily Putnam-Hornstein and Naomi Schaefer Riley,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2025
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After his round, the Irishman did not tolerate the media diminishing his spot in the tournament.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorating. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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