1
2

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun deterioration differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deterioration are decadence, decline, and degeneration. While all these words mean "the falling from a higher to a lower level in quality, character, or vitality," deterioration implies generally the impairment of value or usefulness.

the deterioration of the house through neglect

When can decadence be used instead of deterioration?

In some situations, the words decadence and deterioration are roughly equivalent. However, decadence presupposes a reaching and passing the peak of development and implies a turn downward with a consequent loss in vitality or energy.

cited love of luxury as a sign of cultural decadence

How do decline and decadence relate to one another, in the sense of deterioration?

Decline differs from decadence in suggesting a more markedly downward direction and greater momentum as well as more obvious evidence of deterioration.

the meteoric decline of his career after the scandal

When could degeneration be used to replace deterioration?

The words degeneration and deterioration are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, degeneration stresses physical, intellectual, or especially moral retrogression.

the degeneration of their youthful idealism into cynicism

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 deterioration According to experts, the manufacturing techniques of the balls and the factors that influence their deterioration have been monitored and studied, but no definitive formula for their preservation has yet been found. Lauren Liebhaber september 16, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2025 Vascular dementia is the second most common form of cognitive deterioration after Alzheimer’s disease. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025 Trump was right again in concluding that the Federal Reserve has been too late in responding to the deterioration of the job market. Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025 What To Know In 2024, well over half the countries analyzed showed a very significant deterioration in at least one key element of democracy, whether that was credible elections, press freedom or the quality of civic space, Casas-Zamora said. Matthew Tostevin john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deterioration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterioration
Noun
  • Inflammation can cause vascular disease — the narrowing, weakening or even blockage of blood vessels — that can damage organs such as the kidneys, lungs, liver and of course the brain.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Hurricane center forecasters said additional weakening is expected during the next few days, with Kiko moving toward the west-northwest around 14 mph.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For engineers, all this means coupling MLOps with DevOps by integrating retraining triggers, model validation steps and performance degradation alerts directly into deployment pipelines.
    Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • High-speed charging generates substantial thermal energy, which can accelerate cell degradation, reduce the battery’s overall lifespan, and in rare cases, lead to safety issues like thermal runaway.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • To determine if a root canal is needed, dentists conduct a thorough exam, often with X-rays, to evaluate decay, damage and the tooth’s internal condition.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Its alignment with figures like North Korea’s Kim Jong Un symbolizes the isolation and reputational decay of a regime that relies on coercion rather than consent.
    Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Following on from its second-quarter results, the company maintained its full-year sales growth outlook of a low single-digit year-over-year decline.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • At the time, Western Sizzlin had long been in a period of decline, having filed for bankruptcy in 1992.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • On those three dates, variations in the moon's position relative to Earth's equator — particularly its declination — can influence tidal forces that subtly affect Earth's rotation rate.
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Where corporate criminal investigations resolve without filing any criminal charges (through a declination or deferred prosecution agreement), companies should expect victims to still voice their views loudly to the Justice Department and beyond.
    Lisa Zornberg, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deterioration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterioration. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on deterioration

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!