deteriorate

verb

de·​te·​ri·​o·​rate di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce deteriorate (audio)
dē-
deteriorated; deteriorating
Synonyms of deteriorate

transitive verb

1
: to make worse or lower in quality or value : impair
Exposure to sunlight may deteriorate the paint.
2
: disintegrate

intransitive verb

: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : become gradually worse
allowed a tradition of academic excellence to deteriorate
His health deteriorated.
deteriorative
di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrā-tiv How to pronounce deteriorate (audio)
dē-
adjective

Synonyms of deteriorate

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Examples of deteriorate in a Sentence

efforts to save a deteriorating rain forest Exposure to rain and sun will gradually deteriorate the paint.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In a sign of Graham’s potential vulnerability, largely due to her inexperience and a deteriorating political environment for Republicans, SLF announced a $5 million ad buy in the state last week. — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026 That erosion of trust is already spilling into the streets in France, where hundreds of thousands of students have taken part in protests over deteriorating school facilities and called for greater education funding. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 In the 1990s, plans to demolish the deteriorating site and replace it with an underground car park sparked fierce opposition from local residents and traders, who successfully campaigned to save it. — Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026 How much longer the current cycle can continue may depend on market breadth, which has deteriorated. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deteriorate

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin deterioratus, past participle of deteriorare, from Latin deterior worse, from de- + -ter (suffix as in Latin uter which of two) + -ior (comparative suffix) — more at whether entry 2, -er

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deteriorate was in 1572

Rhymes for deteriorate

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Browse Nearby Words

deteriorable
deteriorate
deteriorated into
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deteriorate. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

deteriorate

verb
de·​te·​ri·​o·​rate di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce deteriorate (audio)
deteriorated; deteriorating
1
: to make or become worse or of less value : degenerate
2
: disintegrate sense 1
deterioration
-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈrā-shən
noun
deteriorative
-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt-iv How to pronounce deteriorate (audio)
adjective

Medical Definition

deteriorate

intransitive verb
de·​te·​ri·​o·​rate di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce deteriorate (audio)
deteriorated; deteriorating
: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate
her health deteriorated
deteriorating vision
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