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.

Her condition has deteriorated, according to the royal household, and she is not expected to take part in a state visit by the king and queen of the Belgians next week.

From BBC

"Stopping our work would have affected the condition of the monument, leaving it unattended and deteriorating due to natural causes and exposed to vandals and looters," he argued.

From BBC

At the same time, officials who believe policy is still restrictive have worried that holding firm carries its own risk if the labor market deteriorates further.

From The Wall Street Journal

Davenport expects the deep freeze to be extended given the labor market has deteriorated, trade policy and geopolitical uncertainty are elevated and Canada’s population is shrinking.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even as the finances deteriorated, voters have responded with systemic denial.

From MarketWatch

deteriorate

Example Sentences

Related Words