deteriorate

verb

de·​te·​ri·​o·​rate di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce deteriorate (audio)
dē-
deteriorated; deteriorating
Synonyms of deteriorate

transitive verb

1
: to make worse or lower in quality or value : impair
Exposure to sunlight may deteriorate the paint.
2
: disintegrate

intransitive verb

: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : become gradually worse
allowed a tradition of academic excellence to deteriorate
His health deteriorated.
deteriorative
di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrā-tiv How to pronounce deteriorate (audio)
dē-
adjective

Synonyms of deteriorate

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The bank raised its price target to 19 cents per pound over three months, citing tightening inventories, India’s unexpected import program and deteriorating weather in India, Thailand and the EU. — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2026 The facility’s ceiling paint started to deteriorate above the Hobart Vulcan streamer. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Patrick Clancy testified that after the birth of their third child, his ex-wife was under the care of several mental health clinicians, but continued to deteriorate. — Carmel Wroth, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026 And as time went on, the barn that was once the cornerstone of farm life slowly began deteriorating beyond repair, leading the farm to undergo another major change this year in an effort to restore the barn’s former liveliness. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deteriorate

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin deterioratus, past participle of deteriorare, from Latin deterior worse, from de- + -ter (suffix as in Latin uter which of two) + -ior (comparative suffix) — more at whether entry 2, -er

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deteriorate was in 1572

Rhymes for deteriorate

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Browse Nearby Words

deteriorable
deteriorate
deteriorated into
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Cite this Entry

“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deteriorate. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

deteriorate

verb
de·​te·​ri·​o·​rate di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce deteriorate (audio)
deteriorated; deteriorating
1
: to make or become worse or of less value : degenerate
2
: disintegrate sense 1
deterioration
-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈrā-shən
noun
deteriorative
-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt-iv How to pronounce deteriorate (audio)
adjective

Medical Definition

deteriorate

intransitive verb
de·​te·​ri·​o·​rate di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce deteriorate (audio)
deteriorated; deteriorating
: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate
her health deteriorated
deteriorating vision
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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