deterioration

noun

de·​te·​ri·​o·​ra·​tion di-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈrā-shən 

dē-

: the action or process of becoming impaired or inferior in quality, functioning, or condition : the state of having deteriorated

rust deterioration

the deterioration of academic standards

Synonyms

• debilitation
• decay
• decaying
• declension
• decline
• degeneration
• descent
• ebbing
• enfeeblement
• weakening

Choose the Right Synonym for deterioration

deterioration, degeneration, decadence, decline mean the falling from a higher to a lower level in quality, character, or vitality.

deterioration implies generally the impairment of value or usefulness.

the deterioration of the house through neglect

degeneration stresses physical, intellectual, or especially moral retrogression.

the degeneration of their youthful idealism into cynicism

decadence presupposes a reaching and passing the peak of development and implies a turn downward with a consequent loss in vitality or energy.

cited love of luxury as a sign of cultural decadence

decline differs from decadence in suggesting a more markedly downward direction and greater momentum as well as more obvious evidence of deterioration.

the meteoric decline of his career after the scandal

Examples of deterioration in a Sentence

the gradual deterioration of the weather

a deterioration of academic standards

Recent Examples on the Web

Coined as far back as 1854 by Henry David Thoreau in Walden, the idea of mental deterioration from trivial distractions has never been more relevant. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Tedeschi credits Park Road with heroic work on the Maysles footage, which was delivered to them in various stages of deterioration. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2024

Lead — unsafe to be applied to skin — can lead to hair loss, skin deterioration and even death from prolonged lead poisoning, The Mirror reported. —Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024

On the flip side, further deterioration in the housing sector led by slowing construction activity was a drag on the economy. —Courtenay Brown, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see deteriorate

First Known Use

circa 1658, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

deterioration

noun

de·​te·​ri·​o·​ra·​tion di-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈrā-shən 

: the action or process of deteriorating : the state of having deteriorated

personality deterioration

neurological deterioration