deterioration

[dih-teer-ee-uh-rey-shuhn] / dɪˌtɪər i əˈreɪ ʃən /

NOUN

decay, degeneration

Synonyms

STRONGEST

decline degradation depreciation devaluation disintegration dislocation downturn slump worsening

STRONG

abasement adulteration atrophy corrosion debasement decadence declension declination decomposition descent dilapidation disrepair downfall downgrade drop fall lapse lessening perversion retrogression rotting ruin spoiling vitiation

WEAK

crumbling decaying degringolade

Antonyms

STRONGEST

increase

STRONG

ascent development growth improvement rise success upgrade

WEAK

betterment building construction

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.

That would confirm that the labor market is not merely avoiding deterioration; it is beginning to heal.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026

He said the deterioration was "dangerous", which was why she has been placed on the transplant list.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

Nikki is nothing more than her pain and deterioration because Barker doesn’t allow us any other prolonged glimpses of Nikki or her life after Bear makes his wish.

From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026

The ministry said Rivera's "physical and neurological deterioration" was "a consequence of a bacterial infection caused by the COVID-19 virus."

From Barron's • May 31, 2026

I looked at Cletus to see if all this talk of illness and deterioration affected him the way it did me.

From "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant

Vocabulary lists containing deterioration

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

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Tears of a Tiger

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myPerspectives 8.4

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