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
Conditions are deteriorating in a network of Syrian prisons holding terrorists of the Islamic State.
—
Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Forecasters warned that conditions could deteriorate quickly with little warning and suggested people park away from trees, charge electronics and be prepared to evacuate quickly if needed.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Despite the exciting success of the film in festivals and among journalists and audiences around the world, however, the situation here on the ground is deteriorating rapidly and the future looks bleak.
—Basel Adra, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2025
Within days, her condition deteriorated, leading to her death, according to Reuters.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for deteriorate 
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Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Forecasters warned that conditions could deteriorate quickly with little warning and suggested people park away from trees, charge electronics and be prepared to evacuate quickly if needed.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Despite the exciting success of the film in festivals and among journalists and audiences around the world, however, the situation here on the ground is deteriorating rapidly and the future looks bleak.
—Basel Adra, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2025
Within days, her condition deteriorated, leading to her death, according to Reuters.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for deteriorate
Dictionary Entries Near deteriorate
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deteriorate. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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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