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
Based on the aforementioned trends, employment outcomes haven’t gotten better over the past decade and are likely to deteriorate further.
—
Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Over the next two decades, Boyer and Kochan were inseparable — even as Kochan’s cancer progressed and her health deteriorated.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
And regardless of today’s numbers, the labor market could deteriorate very quickly amid Trump’s new tariffs, according to Yardeni Research.
—Josh Fellman, Quartz, 4 Apr. 2025
Additionally, inspectors said, grout had deteriorated between floor tiles at the cook’s line.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
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Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Over the next two decades, Boyer and Kochan were inseparable — even as Kochan’s cancer progressed and her health deteriorated.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
And regardless of today’s numbers, the labor market could deteriorate very quickly amid Trump’s new tariffs, according to Yardeni Research.
—Josh Fellman, Quartz, 4 Apr. 2025
Additionally, inspectors said, grout had deteriorated between floor tiles at the cook’s line.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 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 10 Apr. 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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