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.

While the Strabane man has been on the waiting list, his left knee started to deteriorate and needs replaced, which, he said, is "another hurdle" he will have to cross.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

While convenient, these warmer conditions speed up respiration and ripening, causing fruit to soften and deteriorate more rapidly.

From Science Daily • May 23, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

They drift when public safety, fiscal stability and economic vitality deteriorate together.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 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

List 3

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