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.

Advanced Micro Devices and Rambus are beginning to show signs of technical deterioration as traders watch key support levels closely.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

The narrowing of the employment gap between men and women has been a decadeslong process, said Harvard economist Lawrence Katz, the consequence of a long deterioration in men’s participation in the labor market.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

Scientists in Norway have now identified a process that may be speeding up their deterioration.

From Science Daily • May 10, 2026

Clary argues the deterioration in ties accelerated a broader recalibration already under way in Delhi.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

I can’t help but admire the structural linguists who have carved out for themselves a linguistic discipline based on the deterioration of written communication.

From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes

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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