deteriorated 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of deterioratednext
as in deteriorating

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deteriorated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of deteriorate
1
as in worsened
to become worse or of less value the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Verb
The inside story of how this relationship deteriorated is worth a read. — Chris Branch, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025 The increase in tests came as relations with the United States and its regional allies deteriorated and Pyongyang pulled closer to Russia. — David Brennan, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorated
  1. worsened
  2. degraded
  3. crumbled
  4. weakened
  5. rickety
  6. descended
  7. ramshackle
  8. abandoned
Verb
  • However, wider market fundamentals have not materially altered and have somewhat worsened.
    — Gaurav Sharma, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Early in his treatment, tests showed the chemo had worsened Olson’s anemia.
    — J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 20 Dec. 2024
Definition of worsened
Verb
  • When the tile degraded, the gaps were filled in with livestock bones.
    — Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 2024
  • That’s good news, considering phosphorous pollution has degraded water quality in the Everglades for decades and remains a challenge.
    — Rebecca Blackwell, Sun Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024
Definition of degraded
Verb
  • The rest of the batting order crumbled as sure as night follows day.
    — Tim Ellis, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
  • As their world crumbled around them, many found hope in a dance ritual that adherents believed would ultimately spark an upheaval in which their enemies would be ousted and their once-free existence restored.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2024
Definition of crumbled
Verb
  • But the militants, while greatly weakened, have repeatedly regrouped, often after Israeli forces withdraw from areas.
    — Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Those at high-risk for listeria infection are newborns, those who are pregnant, have weakened immune systems, and those aged 65 or older.
    — Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of weakened
Adjective
  • Griff's was a cozy space inside with a small, rickety wooden patio in the front and a larger one in the back.
    — Brianna Griff, Chron, 13 Jan. 2023
  • Instead of rickety outdoor patios with plastic partitions, diners mostly ate in dining rooms.
    — Nick Kindelsperger, Chicago Tribune, 28 Dec. 2022
Definition of rickety
Verb
  • As tens of thousands of visitors from around the world descended on Miami for the city’s annual art celebration, a lucky few were invited to an immersive experience that blended contemporary art with fashion, mixology, and luxury travel.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2024
  • The House descended into chaos Wednesday when the GOP revolt sank a last-minute funding measure to keep the government operating through early next year.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024
Definition of descended
Adjective
  • Wide public spaces and malls replace the ramshackle markets.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • And there was an uninsulated, ramshackle garden shed of less than 100 square feet that Ms. Prentiss imagined could be used as a writing studio.
    — Tim McKeough, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Definition of ramshackle
Adjective
  • But the findings won’t be able to say how abandoned land should be managed, or whether people should try to manage it at all.
    — ByDan Charles, science.org, 2 Jan. 2025
  • A day later his car was found abandoned but undamaged in a parking lot near Congaree National Park about 20 miles southeast of Columbia.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of abandoned

Browse Nearby Words

deteriorated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deteriorated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorated. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on deteriorated

Nglish: Translation of deteriorated for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
number-twelve-balloon
12-Letter Words Quiz A dozen words, a dozen letters each.
See All