deteriorate
verb
de·te·ri·o·rate
di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt 
dē-
deteriorated; deteriorating
1
: to make inferior in quality or value : impair
Exposure to sunlight may deteriorate the paint.
2
: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate
allowed a tradition of academic excellence to deteriorate
his health deteriorated
Synonyms
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
But that’s also contributed to its deteriorating health.
—
Kevin Ambrose, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
For at least 250 years, blacksmiths used a forge built inside the base of the tower that significantly deteriorated the fragile selenite stones at the base.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The company’s financial performance has deteriorated, its stock has underperformed and its directors have not looked out for shareholders, Trian said.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
The quality of play across the conference has deteriorated substantially in the past 10-15 years.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024
As Fortune has previously reported, this year’s pivotal spring season in the housing world seems to be more of a mini version—new listings are up, but affordability has deteriorated.
—Alena Botros, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2024
Some of the poorest—including several in West Africa—are experiencing political instability and deteriorating security conditions, which will only compound their economic woes.
—Comfort Ero, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2024
His living conditions have reportedly deteriorated since far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir ordered him detained in solitary confinement in December.
—Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 2024
The building's deteriorating terra cotta facade has been a reoccurring issue.
—Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024
Kevin Ambrose, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
For at least 250 years, blacksmiths used a forge built inside the base of the tower that significantly deteriorated the fragile selenite stones at the base.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The company’s financial performance has deteriorated, its stock has underperformed and its directors have not looked out for shareholders, Trian said.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
The quality of play across the conference has deteriorated substantially in the past 10-15 years.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024
As Fortune has previously reported, this year’s pivotal spring season in the housing world seems to be more of a mini version—new listings are up, but affordability has deteriorated.
—Alena Botros, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2024
Some of the poorest—including several in West Africa—are experiencing political instability and deteriorating security conditions, which will only compound their economic woes.
—Comfort Ero, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2024
His living conditions have reportedly deteriorated since far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir ordered him detained in solitary confinement in December.
—Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 2024
The building's deteriorating terra cotta facade has been a reoccurring issue.
—Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deteriorate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near deteriorate
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deteriorate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deteriorate
verb
de·te·ri·o·rate
di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt
deteriorated; deteriorating
1
: to make or become worse or of less value : degenerate
deterioration
noun
-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈrā-shən
Medical Definition
deteriorate
intransitive verb
de·te·ri·o·rate
di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt
deteriorated; deteriorating
: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate
her health deteriorated
deteriorating vision
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