1
as in worsens
to become worse or of less value
the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in degrades
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
Examples 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 deteriorates
The symptoms will worsen as the spinal cord deteriorates over time.
—
Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
This ability deteriorates further with general hearing loss, which is becoming more prevalent as people live longer, and can lead to social isolation.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Dec. 2024
This represents a significant shift in NATO's approach, signaling a potential readiness to escalate its involvement if the situation in Ukraine deteriorates drastically.
—Shane Croucher, Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2024
Cooked pasta can be stored in the freezer for about six months before the quality deteriorates.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2024
Cardboard provides minimal protection to begin with and, over time, deteriorates, becoming a magnet for moisture and pests.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Nov. 2024
Waller said a scenario likely to prompt a more pronounced response would be if inflation falls below 2% or if the labor market significantly deteriorates.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2024
Once that point is surpassed, performance deteriorates.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
And once someone becomes homeless, their health deteriorates rapidly.
—Renee Hsia, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
This ability deteriorates further with general hearing loss, which is becoming more prevalent as people live longer, and can lead to social isolation.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Dec. 2024
This represents a significant shift in NATO's approach, signaling a potential readiness to escalate its involvement if the situation in Ukraine deteriorates drastically.
—Shane Croucher, Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2024
Cooked pasta can be stored in the freezer for about six months before the quality deteriorates.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2024
Cardboard provides minimal protection to begin with and, over time, deteriorates, becoming a magnet for moisture and pests.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Nov. 2024
Waller said a scenario likely to prompt a more pronounced response would be if inflation falls below 2% or if the labor market significantly deteriorates.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2024
Once that point is surpassed, performance deteriorates.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
And once someone becomes homeless, their health deteriorates rapidly.
—Renee Hsia, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorates
Verb
-
During Bilbao’s Semana Grande, Jone lives her first love with Olga, as her father’s Parkinson’s illness worsens.John Hopewell, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024
-
Symptoms include severe pain below the ribs that worsens when laughing, twisting, coughing, or bending.Lindsay Curtis, Health, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
As Google Search degrades in usefulness — or is replaced by AI summaries — platforms like Reddit have become a central part of finding helpful information online.Mia Sato, The Verge, 13 Dec. 2024
-
On the other, the naysayers fret that AI overcomplicates workflows, opens companies to security and liability risks, and degrades the human element that makes work worthwhile.Natasha Tynes, Big Think, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
An easy monetary policy typically weakens a country’s currency, making exports cheaper and potentially supports growth in the face of tariffs.Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
-
Doing so weakens your home's heating system and is a fire hazard.Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Checking cameras too often only adds pressure and diminishes the quality of a hunting area.Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 1 Jan. 2025
-
The decline directly relates to inflation, which diminishes the value of money, requiring consumers to spend more dollars to maintain their standard of living.Becca Bratcher, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
By clinging to Newtonian certainty, economics often destroys the opportunity to do something magically creative.Eric Markowitz, Big Think, 30 Dec. 2024
-
Other points-counterpoints focus on whether pasteurization also destroys vitamins in milk.Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 24 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near deteriorates
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorates. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share