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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 Their baseline will allow for informed predictions about things like climate change, seismic activity, and general deterioration of the site, which hosts around 1.2 million tourists a year. Louise McLoughlin, CNN Money, 5 May 2025 It can also be used to describe the content itself; in other words, the term refers to both the cause and the effect of intellectual deterioration. Alisha Haridasani Gupta, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 Just like double-bagging groceries protects food if the first bag fails, redundancy helps protect structures and astronauts in the event of deterioration. Madison Dapcevich, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025 These prions lead to rapid brain deterioration, resulting in severe neurological symptoms and death. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deterioration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterioration
Noun
  • Using her celebrity, Tabei was also an activist for environmental change in high-altitude regions, having grown appalled by the degradation of fragile mountain glaciers that was being caused by the mountaineering industry.
    Jenny Hall, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
  • To others, a symbol of degradation and objectification.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • The structure’s decay was captured in numerous photos, and demolition seemed imminent when the decision was made to rebuild it in conjunction with the new Power & Light District.
    Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
  • The American manufacturing sector is reviving after decades of decay.
    Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Operating income for the quarter came in at $652 million, marking a 13% year-on-year decline.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 14 May 2025
  • White House spokesperson Kush Desai celebrated the decline in a statement Tuesday touting other news from the CPI report which also showed cooling inflation.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • The changing declination also defines the daily arc that the sun takes across the sky, thereby accounting for the length of daylight.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2025
  • The sun's changing declination is what determines whether the sun's rays strike us at a low angle or more directly.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deterioration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterioration. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on deterioration

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