1
as in deteriorated
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in declining
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deteriorating
Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
The latest round of talks also come in the aftermath of a major anti-regime uprising in Iran, in which protests -- initially sparked by the deteriorating economic conditions inside the country -- spread nationwide.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
And the heads just kept deteriorating.
—Danielle Paquette The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Feb. 2026
The towers are also new, replacing bland white stands that the city says had been sinking and deteriorating.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Subsequent presidents forged new agreements, but now that global order to safeguard and reduce nuclear arms is deteriorating.
—NPR, 13 Feb. 2026
The building originally held Le Chat Noir, a Victorian coffee and pastry spot, before chef‑restaurateur Tony Lemmo purchased and restored the deteriorating property in the early 2000s.
—Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 13 Feb. 2026
Prosecutors accused him of not taking further steps to check on Maier's well-being after he was informed of Maier's deteriorating condition by multiple correctional officers.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 12 Feb. 2026
Lori Kelley of Harrisburg, North Carolina, has deteriorating vision that affects her livelihood.
—Samantha Liss, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Meanwhile, the situation on the island is deteriorating quickly.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
The latest round of talks also come in the aftermath of a major anti-regime uprising in Iran, in which protests -- initially sparked by the deteriorating economic conditions inside the country -- spread nationwide.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
And the heads just kept deteriorating.
—Danielle Paquette The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Feb. 2026
The towers are also new, replacing bland white stands that the city says had been sinking and deteriorating.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Subsequent presidents forged new agreements, but now that global order to safeguard and reduce nuclear arms is deteriorating.
—NPR, 13 Feb. 2026
The building originally held Le Chat Noir, a Victorian coffee and pastry spot, before chef‑restaurateur Tony Lemmo purchased and restored the deteriorating property in the early 2000s.
—Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 13 Feb. 2026
Prosecutors accused him of not taking further steps to check on Maier's well-being after he was informed of Maier's deteriorating condition by multiple correctional officers.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 12 Feb. 2026
Lori Kelley of Harrisburg, North Carolina, has deteriorating vision that affects her livelihood.
—Samantha Liss, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorating
Adjective
-
The cheaper real estate solution would typically be to tear down a deteriorated structure, Matthews told The News.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Inside was a woman’s deteriorated body, wrapped in duct tape and plastic sheets.—
Jesse Bedayn,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
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
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When a production crew arrives to film an alien invasion movie on the crumbling backlot, the janitor decides to vanish alongside the studio itself.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
-
With increasing pressure on its energy systems, Cuba is crumbling as energy blackouts throughout the nation have significantly affected its vital tourism industry, food supply and prices, and public and personal transportation.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Military planners outlined potential operational concepts aimed at degrading the program, including strikes on key manufacturing and development sites.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Making buses free risks degrading performance.—
Josh Appel,
Washington Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Livaura Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Cream Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that boosts cell turnover and collagen production, while fading wrinkles, fine lines, and reducing visible signs of aging like dullness, dark spots, and texture.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Later classified AT2025ulz, the object displayed similar, fading red wavelengths as GW170817.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Gripped by a worsening economic crisis, Cuba’s government recently adopted rationing measures to protect essential services and ration fuel supplies for key sectors.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The five preceding episodes depicted Louie’s worsening health, with Harden keeping a dignified smile on Louie’s face but also moving a little slower and admitting to more pain.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Unbalanced Or Leaning Tree A weakening root system or poor pruning practices can cause a tree to lean to one side.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
My opponent, Tim O’Hare, has led with ideology and performative politics, reducing transparency, weakening public participation, and creating financial instability through deficit-style budgeting and reserve spending.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Mike Buckley designed the scenery, which includes the ramshackle cabin and children’s swing in Bountiful.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
So now, the ramshackle Coinjock School sits in the restaurant’s backyard and his plan for restoration keeps getting more ambitious with each passing year.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorating. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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