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
Now the fate of the deteriorating site is in limbo.
—
Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2024
Adverse health effects increase as air quality deteriorates.
—Staff Reports, The Arizona Republic, 16 Apr. 2024
Musk announced the decision to cut headcount by potentially more than 14,000 people globally amid the deteriorating outlook for EV sales.
—Edward Ludlow, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
But the federal agency acknowledged last year that the funds would fall short because costs to repair and expand the deteriorating plant had increased to nearly $1 billion.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
The Burlington-Bristol Bridge: Preparing for evacuations Many of the deficiencies found in bridges outside of the nation’s major ports are also a result of deteriorating barriers around the piers.
—Mike Baker, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
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
Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2024
Adverse health effects increase as air quality deteriorates.
—Staff Reports, The Arizona Republic, 16 Apr. 2024
Musk announced the decision to cut headcount by potentially more than 14,000 people globally amid the deteriorating outlook for EV sales.
—Edward Ludlow, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
But the federal agency acknowledged last year that the funds would fall short because costs to repair and expand the deteriorating plant had increased to nearly $1 billion.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
The Burlington-Bristol Bridge: Preparing for evacuations Many of the deficiencies found in bridges outside of the nation’s major ports are also a result of deteriorating barriers around the piers.
—Mike Baker, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
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
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 23 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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