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.

They tell clients in a note that a deterioration in housing market sentiment would also increase the probability of lower valuation multiples for bank stocks.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Participants who received the real gait retraining reported pain relief comparable to medication, and MRI scans suggested they had less knee cartilage deterioration than people in the placebo group.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

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

Debbie believes the time Matt was unable to work contributed to a deterioration in his mental state.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

Before Kepler had time to make any decision, a deterioration in the religious situation made the decision for him.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin

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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