Definitions

deteriorating

[dih-teer-ee-uh-rey-ting] / dɪˈtɪər i əˌreɪ tɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

crumbly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

powdery soft

WEAK

breakable corroded crisp crunchy decayed degenerated deteriorated disintegrated eroded fragile frail frangible friable oxidized perishing pulverizable rotted rotten rusted shivery short worn

Antonyms

WEAK

flexible pliable

ADJECTIVE

decaying

Synonyms

STRONGEST

collapsing crumbling

STRONG

decomposing disintegrating eroding oxidizing rusting spoiling

WEAK

breaking down breaking up falling to pieces in ruins wasting away wearing away

ADJECTIVE

retrograde

Synonyms

STRONG

declining inverted lapsing receding reversed sinking slipping worsening

WEAK

backward catabolic contrary inverse

Antonyms

WEAK

forward positive

ADJECTIVE

scrubby

Synonyms

WEAK

all the worse for wear bare bedraggled broken-down crummy cure decayed decaying decrepit degenerated desolate deteriorated dilapidated dingy disfigured disreputable dog-eared down-at-heel faded frayed gone to seed mangy meager mean miserable moth-eaten neglected pitiful poor pot poverty-stricken ragged ramshackle ratty rickety ruined ruinous run down rundown scruffy seedy shoddy sleazy slipshod squalid tacky tattered tatty threadbare tired worn worn-out worse for wear wretched

ADJECTIVE

shabby

Synonyms

STRONGEST

crummy decaying decrepit desolate dilapidated dingy pitiful ramshackle ratty rickety run down scruffy seedy shoddy squalid tacky tattered threadbare worn

WEAK

bare bedraggled decayed degenerated deteriorated disfigured disreputable dog-eared faded frayed gone to seed mangy meager mean miserable moth-eaten neglected poor poverty-stricken ragged ruined ruinous scrubby sleazy slipshod tired worn-out worse for wear wretched

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clean fresh good happy healthy new nice stable unused

WEAK

honorable respectable

ADJECTIVE

tatty

Synonyms

WEAK

all the worse for wear bare bedraggled broken-down crummy cure decayed decaying decrepit degenerated desolate deteriorated dilapidated dingy disfigured disreputable dog-eared down-at-heel faded frayed gone to seed mangy meager mean miserable moth-eaten neglected pitiful poor pot poverty-stricken ragged ramshackle ratty rickety ruined ruinous run down rundown scrubby scruffy seedy shoddy sleazy slipshod squalid tacky tattered threadbare tired worn worn-out worse for wear wretched

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Deteriorating air quality in the city at the time resulted in many sports and cultural events being cancelled, with British actress Jodie Comer stopping her Broadway show after experiencing breathing difficulties.

From BBC • Jun. 29, 2023

Deteriorating conditions on Everest are raising concerns for mountaineers and others whose livelihoods depend on the flow of visitors coming to climb the mountain each year.

From Washington Times • May 29, 2023

Deteriorating lending conditions tend to lead to a slowdown in the economy, which would weaken inflation.

From New York Times • May 4, 2023

"Deteriorating household income and expectations caused by a weak labor market dampened the demand recovery. Correspondingly, supportive policies should target employees, gig workers and low-income groups impacted by the outbreaks."

From Reuters • Jul. 1, 2022

Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence and a dropoff in tourism.

From The 2003 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency

deteriorating

Example Sentences

Related Words