deteriorating 1 of 2

adjective

1
as in deteriorated

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in declining

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Dissimilar Words

deteriorating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of deteriorate
1
as in crumbling
to become worse or of less value the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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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 deteriorating
Adjective
The Federal Bureau of Prisons closed the site in 2024 due to deteriorating conditions and understaffing. — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 9 June 2026
Verb
According to court documents, Wilson’s relationship with the producers had started deteriorating before filming began in 2023 – and worsened during post-production. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026 The unusual decision cites a deteriorating consumer environment, FullBeauty's debt, and substantial shareholder dilution. — Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Kpler data similarly show activity deteriorating almost immediately after the blockade began. — Lee Ying Shan,anniek Bao, CNBC, 21 July 2026 PetaPixel found image quality deteriorating quickly at higher ISOs and concluded that being best in a shrinking category isn't the same as being great. — New Atlas, 20 July 2026 Several specific incidents in the past few months have underlined Putin’s deteriorating position. — Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026 Due to deteriorating air quality, Philadelphia city officials suspended trash pickup and closed public pools Friday. — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 17 July 2026 That creative momentum sits against a deteriorating financial picture. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2026 Africa’s biggest economy has been on a knife edge for months over growing anti-migrant sentiment and xenophobic violence in a society where one in three is unemployed, and municipal services are deteriorating. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 13 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorating
  1. deteriorated
  2. declining
  3. crumbling
  4. degrading
  5. decaying
  6. fading
  7. worsening
  8. weakening
Adjective
  • Clark said the supports are needed because equipment used in the investigation is too heavy and difficult to maneuver safely on the deteriorated floor.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
  • According to the officer, the decision to classify Sands' death as such was the result of the deteriorated condition of his body.
    — Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026
Definition of deteriorated
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
Definition of declining
Verb
  • But today, its concrete high-rises are crumbling into the sea.
    — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026
  • Sugar’s purpose in this earthly life — to reunite lost families in the City of Angels — is crumbling under the maddening impossibility of convicting a policeman of a crime in a world where the crime is the point.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 24 July 2026
Definition of crumbling
Verb
  • Chronic stress takes a serious toll on the body—accelerating aging, undermining cardiovascular health and degrading your immune and metabolic systems.
    — Shefali Raina, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Sports betting is degrading the financial health of the most vulnerable households, according to a new study that tees up an emerging political issue.
    — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of degrading
Adjective
  • The district also could be in for other major changes in the coming years, including the opening of a few new schools to replace multiple decaying, underenrolled schools.
    — Scott Travis, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
Definition of decaying
Adjective
  • The classic budget-friendly design features a high-rise waistband that stays put, stretchy fabric that’s moisture-wicking and non-fading, and versatile colors like classic black and army green.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2026
  • In Aniara, the entire natural world is simply absent, a fading, unsustainable memory of something once alive.
    — Jenny Odell, Longreads, 2 June 2026
Definition of fading
Verb
  • But, in the background, cost of living woes were worsening for others, and the wealth gap was widening.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The complaint alleges that over the following nine days, an increasingly frail Willis faced a systematic failure to respond to a visible and worsening crisis.
    — Gustavo Turner, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026
Definition of worsening
Verb
  • Or would that strategy end up weakening the forces tasked with holding the line against Russia?
    — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
  • Sleep deprivation makes leaders less perceptive and human, weakening their presence and effectiveness with people, whereas quality sleep is essential for fostering authentic, influential leadership.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of weakening

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Deteriorating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorating. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of deteriorating for Spanish Speakers

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