deteriorate

verb

de·te·ri·o·rate di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt

dē-

deteriorated; deteriorating

Synonyms of deteriorate next

transitive verb

: to make inferior in quality or value : impair

Exposure to sunlight may deteriorate the paint.

: disintegrate

intransitive verb

: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate

allowed a tradition of academic excellence to deteriorate

his health deteriorated

deteriorative

di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrā-tiv

dē-

adjective

Example Sentences

efforts to save a deteriorating rain forest Exposure to rain and sun will gradually deteriorate the paint.

Recent Examples on the Web Your condition could resolve itself - or quickly deteriorate. —

Andrea Sachs, Anchorage Daily News, 14 May 2023 Conditions are expected to deteriorate further leading up to landfall, which brings the threats of flooding and landslides. —

Chris Lau, CNN, 13 May 2023 As the Atkinsons waited, Gabryel’s health continued deteriorating. —

Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 11 May 2023 Citizens’ reasons for staying in-country, especially dual-nationals, are complex as a security situation deteriorates. —

Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Apr. 2023 Perhaps the biggest limit on organ donation is how quickly organs deteriorate in the body after the heart stops beating. —

Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2023 The Arctic ice sheet has shrunk to about half its 1985 size, and as both mariners and scientists on board note, the quality of the ice is deteriorating. —

Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2023 Likewise, the adaptive suspensions work hard to shield you from the reality of our nation's deteriorating roadway infrastructure. —

Andrew Wendler, Car and Driver, 19 Apr. 2023 And, last but not least, Jost took a parting shot at Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, who is facing calls by some congressional Democrats to resign on account of her deteriorating mental state. —

Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deteriorate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin deterioratus, past participle of deteriorare, from Latin deterior worse, from de- + -ter (suffix as in Latin uter which of two) + -ior (comparative suffix) — more at whether entry 2, -er