deteriorate

verb

de·​te·​ri·​o·​rate di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce deteriorate (audio)
dē-
deteriorated; deteriorating

transitive verb

1
: to make inferior in quality or value : impair
Exposure to sunlight may deteriorate the paint.
2

intransitive verb

: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate
allowed a tradition of academic excellence to deteriorate
his health deteriorated
deteriorative adjective

Examples of deteriorate in a Sentence

efforts to save a deteriorating rain forest Exposure to rain and sun will gradually deteriorate the paint.
Recent Examples on the Web Email address: Idaho school districts have for decades struggled to fix or replace their aging, deteriorating schools and build new ones to accommodate the state’s rapid growth. Becca Savransky, ProPublica, 22 Mar. 2024 The left turbocharger oil feed pipe may deteriorate and leak oil. USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 After the National Cherry Blossom Festival ends on April 14, the NPS is slated to remove nearly 160 cherry trees in the capital, in an effort to repair the city’s deteriorating seawalls. Aileen Graef, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024 The area is home to a number of endangered animals, such as the western snowy plover, which have been harmed by the beach’s deteriorating conditions. Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2024 In an update last month, Mr. Lee warned that the health of the sector was deteriorating more than previously expected and that shifts in demand for office space could have lasting consequences for Washington. Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 But the deteriorating bilateral environment — and the turmoil of the coronavirus pandemic — has seen numbers drop on both sides. Cate Cadell, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 However, Locke revealed that the situation quickly deteriorated. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 And conditions in the camp were deteriorating; the previous evening, five detainees had been murdered. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024

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

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deteriorate was in 1572

Dictionary Entries Near deteriorate

Cite this Entry

“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deteriorate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deteriorate

verb
de·​te·​ri·​o·​rate di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce deteriorate (audio)
deteriorated; deteriorating
1
: to make or become worse or of less value : degenerate
2
deterioration
-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈrā-shən
noun
deteriorative adjective

Medical Definition

deteriorate

intransitive verb
de·​te·​ri·​o·​rate di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce deteriorate (audio)
deteriorated; deteriorating
: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate
her health deteriorated
deteriorating vision

More from Merriam-Webster on deteriorate

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