deteriorate

[dih-teer-ee-uh-reyt] / dɪˈtɪər i əˌreɪt /

VERB

decay, degenerate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

crumble decline degrade depreciate disintegrate ebb fade fail fall apart languish lessen lower regress sink slide undermine weaken worsen

STRONG

adulterate alloy break corrode corrupt debase debilitate decompose deprave descend flag impair injure lapse mar pervert retrograde retrogress rot skid spoil vitiate

WEAK

be worse for wear become worse disimprove go downhill go to pieces go to pot go to the dogs hit the skids lose it lose quality wear away

Antonyms

STRONGEST

approve compliment elevate grow improve increase laud praise raise rise strengthen

STRONG

aid assist build clean cleanse clear cure fix heal help join mend purify put together

WEAK

construct develop get better

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.

It expected the situation "to deteriorate further" and "become unmanageable" as passenger volumes increased towards the summer peak.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

When this transfer process breaks down, nerve fibers begin to deteriorate, Ji explained.

From Science Daily • May 24, 2026

“Market gets pushed to extremes, economic conditions deteriorate rapidly, as a result we get economic contraction,” LaRose said.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

As for when the consumer will finally tire out, many economists expect to see conditions deteriorate later in the second quarter of this year.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

A donkey stood a little way off, not stirring and yet apparently alive; at least it had not begun to deteriorate.

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick

Vocabulary lists containing deteriorate

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