DETERIORATED Synonyms: 191 Similar and Opposite Words

deteriorated 1 of 2

adjective

as in deteriorating

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Dissimilar Words

deteriorated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of deteriorate

as in worsened

to become worse or of less value the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in degraded

to lower in character, dignity, or quality childish name-calling that merely deteriorates what should be a serious discussion on an important issue

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of deteriorated

Adjective

Clark said the supports are needed because equipment used in the investigation is too heavy and difficult to maneuver safely on the deteriorated floor. — Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026 According to the officer, the decision to classify Sands' death as such was the result of the deteriorated condition of his body. — Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026 Crews will spend several days rebuilding and paving each section before moving on to the next, according to a press release, and the project will remove deteriorated pavement before the application of new asphalt. — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 29 May 2026 But the challenges are equally steep, ranging from deteriorated infrastructure to legal uncertainty and lingering concerns over contract stability after past nationalizations. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026 The trunk contained approximately 10 reels of deteriorated film — many rusted, warped, fragmented or fused together. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026 The rehab project at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption was sorely needed to repair deteriorated stone, metal and glass that adorns the limestone exterior. — Dylan Lovan, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026 Crews will also remove the deteriorated deck concrete and install new slabs and joints. — Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026 The Housatonic Railroad Company will receive $2,636,382 for replacing two grade crossing surfaces in New Milford, replacing deteriorated ties along its corridor. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026

Verb

How much longer the current cycle can continue may depend on market breadth, which has deteriorated. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026 Johnson in March 2026 observed that Jones’ mental health had deteriorated in the previous three months. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026 The building itself has deteriorated after the prison closed five years ago, lawyers say. — Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026 However, as Germany’s economic problems — slow growth, high inflation, rising energy prices — have worsened, public sentiment toward the newcomers has deteriorated. — Kirsten Grieshaber, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 Her condition deteriorated rapidly over the following 48 hours. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026 Ethiopia's relations with its regional neighbors have deteriorated in recent months. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026 In the wake of the deal, the shopping experience had already deteriorated. — Rachel Felder, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2026 Its relationship with Argentina, for instance—which had helped underpin four decades of regional stability—has deteriorated to the point that neither country has an ambassador in the other’s capital. — Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorated

Adjective

The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office reminded the public that the Avalanche Gulch route is not recommended at this time of year due to deteriorating conditions, rockfall and winter weather, as is posted at the trailhead.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
The Federal Bureau of Prisons closed the site in 2024 due to deteriorating conditions and understaffing.

— Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 9 June 2026

Definition of deteriorating

Verb

Insecurity, which has worsened around the country, is also set to figure as a major point of contention.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Mike McDaniel’s implementation of his wide-zone offense hasn’t gone well, and the situation has worsened as injuries along the offensive line have piled up.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of worsened

Verb

With so few ancient samples of dodo DNA surviving—and that which does exist having degraded over the centuries—the analytic and number-crunching power of AI is just what’s needed to fill in the genetic blanks.

— Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
Russia’s constant attacks on factories, energy supply systems and the railways means that steel supply to the Ukrainian armed forces is also being degraded.

— Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of degraded

Adjective

Liberal critics, however, argued—also rightly—that the Soviet Union was a decaying, economically crippled giant by the time Reagan was inaugurated.

— Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
The district also could be in for other major changes in the coming years, including the opening of a few new schools to replace multiple decaying, underenrolled schools.

— Scott Travis, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026

Definition of decaying

Verb

Long Beach Powerful waves crumbled large sections of the boardwalk on the Long Beach Peninsula and left several homes with severe structural damage.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
As recruiting migrates from Friday Night Lights to the transfer portal, that old infrastructure has crumbled.

— Chris Park, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of crumbled

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“Deteriorated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorated. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deteriorated

adjective

verb

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