deteriorate
verb
de·te·ri·o·rate di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt 
dē-
deteriorated; deteriorating
transitive verb
1
: to make inferior in quality or value : impair
Exposure to sunlight may deteriorate the paint.
2
: 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
adjective dē-
Synonyms
- atrophy
- crumble
- decay
- decline
- degenerate
- descend
- devolve
- ebb
- regress
- retrograde
- rot
- sink
- worsen
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
efforts to save a deteriorating rain forest Exposure to rain and sun will gradually deteriorate the paint.
Recent Examples on the Web Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Thursday that Moscow would consider shutting down the plant if the situation surrounding it continues to deteriorate. 
Ian Lovett, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2022 At a time like this, when liquidity continues to deteriorate, there's no end in sight for the Fed hiking; things could get worse in crypto markets. Steven Ehrlich, Forbes, 30 June 2022 The big companies’ plans could always change if the economy continues to deteriorate and consumers pull back even further on their spending. New York Times, 20 May 2022 As the situation in Russia continues to deteriorate, Putin will likely crack down further to stamp out any signs of dissent. Brian Grodsky, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2022 Unless the situation continues to deteriorate, the Cardinals are expected to pick up his fifth-year option for 2023. San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Feb. 2022 Nauseda asked Washington for a permanent deployment of a rotating battalion in the Baltics, emphasizing that the situation in Eastern Europe continues to deteriorate. Liudas Dapkus, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Feb. 2022 That’s great for fans of those schools, but the overall health of college football from a national perspective continues to deteriorate. Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 16 Dec. 2021 Although forecasters gave 80% odds of acceptable weather Monday morning, conditions were expected to deteriorate during the two-hour launch window. Marcia Dunn, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Aug. 2022 See More
Ian Lovett, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2022 At a time like this, when liquidity continues to deteriorate, there's no end in sight for the Fed hiking; things could get worse in crypto markets. Steven Ehrlich, Forbes, 30 June 2022 The big companies’ plans could always change if the economy continues to deteriorate and consumers pull back even further on their spending. New York Times, 20 May 2022 As the situation in Russia continues to deteriorate, Putin will likely crack down further to stamp out any signs of dissent. Brian Grodsky, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2022 Unless the situation continues to deteriorate, the Cardinals are expected to pick up his fifth-year option for 2023. San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Feb. 2022 Nauseda asked Washington for a permanent deployment of a rotating battalion in the Baltics, emphasizing that the situation in Eastern Europe continues to deteriorate. Liudas Dapkus, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Feb. 2022 That’s great for fans of those schools, but the overall health of college football from a national perspective continues to deteriorate. Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 16 Dec. 2021 Although forecasters gave 80% odds of acceptable weather Monday morning, conditions were expected to deteriorate during the two-hour launch window. Marcia Dunn, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
deteriorate
verb
de·te·ri·o·rate di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt
deteriorated; deteriorating
: to make or become worse or of less value
Their relationship deteriorated.
Medical Definition
deteriorate
intransitive verb
de·te·ri·o·rate di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt
deteriorated; deteriorating
: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate
her health deteriorated
deteriorating vision
deteriorates
verb
1
as in worsens
to become worse or of less value the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- worsens
- crumbles
- descends
- declines
- diminishes
- degenerates
- devolves
- atrophies
- decays
- disintegrates
- rots
- regresses
- sinks
- weakens
- ebbs
- degrades
- sags
- retrogrades
- wanes
- dwindles
- decomposes
- falls
- recedes
- reduces
- runs to seed
- goes to pot
- sours
- goes to seed
- slips
- abates
- corrupts
- undermines
- downsizes
- putrefies
- lessens
- de-escalates
- languishes
- droops
- molders
- spoils
- dilapidates
- lags
- debilitates
- fails
- wilts
- lowers
- breaks down
- runs down
- flags
- wastes (away)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- improves
- ameliorates
- intensifies
- enhances
- progresses
- develops
- strengthens
- heightens
- enriches
- meliorates
- upgrades
- fortifies
- proceeds
- advances
- betters
- marches
2
as in degrades
to lower in character, dignity, or quality childish name-calling that merely deteriorates what should be a serious discussion on an important issue Synonyms & Similar Words
- degrades
- weakens
- corrupts
- humiliates
- subverts
- dilutes
- destroys
- debauches
- damages
- poisons
- lessens
- demeans
- debases
- cankers
- depraves
- pollutes
- ruins
- demoralizes
- thins
- vitiates
- warps
- contaminates
- perverts
- taints
- impairs
- disgraces
- prostitutes
- bastardizes
- cheapens
- mars
- shames
- humbles
- harms
- hurts
- abases
- tarnishes
- profanes
- dirties
- wrecks
- waters down
- depreciates
- defiles
- dishonors
- flaws
- spoils
- descends
- begrimes
- stains
- befouls
- defaces
- downgrades
- blemishes
- takes down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- improves
- elevates
- uplifts
- enhances
- ennobles
- dignifies
- exalts
- enriches
- ameliorates
- honors
- restores
- perfects
- clarifies
- amends
- refines
- cleans
- betters
- purifies
- respects
- cleanses
- meliorates