Definitions

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.

It is not known whether this played any role in Maresca's departure, but the relationship continued to further deteriorate over a number of issues, including medical staff and team selections.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

No, argue strategists at JPMorgan, who offer this chart showing that net equity issuance will only modestly deteriorate due to a wave of stock buybacks.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026

When oxygen levels fall, river health can deteriorate, putting fish and other freshwater species at risk.

From Science Daily • May 17, 2026

The consensus-beating performance comes as the online retailer has seen its bottom line deteriorate since it entered China’s highly competitive food-delivery market in early 2025, taking on the likes of Meituan and Alibaba Group.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

We were determined not to let conditions deteriorate entirely under Badenhorst.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Vocabulary lists containing deteriorate

List 3

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Fidel Castro (1926-2016) Memorial List

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