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
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
By the time everyone came back from lunch, the weather had started to deteriorate.
—
Ann Patchett, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
In January, construction resumed to close a 100-foot gap and replace a deteriorating border fence in the southwestern area of Friendship Park, located between Playas de Tijuana and Imperial Beach.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
His net approval on the Russia-Ukraine war deteriorated to -33 in September, down from -28 the previous month.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Over the course of one year, Hassouna shares her experience of the rapidly deteriorating conditions as Israeli forces continue their assault on Gaza.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
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Ann Patchett, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
In January, construction resumed to close a 100-foot gap and replace a deteriorating border fence in the southwestern area of Friendship Park, located between Playas de Tijuana and Imperial Beach.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
His net approval on the Russia-Ukraine war deteriorated to -33 in September, down from -28 the previous month.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Over the course of one year, Hassouna shares her experience of the rapidly deteriorating conditions as Israeli forces continue their assault on Gaza.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deteriorate. Accessed 2 Oct. 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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