1
as in to worsen
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 to degrade
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
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Recent Examples of deteriorate
Photos from inside Alcatraz show a worn and dated interior, as well as rust, water damage and deteriorating sinks and toilets.
—
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 17 July 2025
The concrete wall, which featured a deteriorating brick facade on top, was propped up using beams by a local foundation company, but the contractors couldn’t raise the brick without breaking them.
—Maddie Carr, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2025
For foreign nationals, the deteriorating security situation made Yemen an increasingly perilous place to live and work.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
However, negotiations have deteriorated since then.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 17 July 2025
The concrete wall, which featured a deteriorating brick facade on top, was propped up using beams by a local foundation company, but the contractors couldn’t raise the brick without breaking them.
—Maddie Carr, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2025
For foreign nationals, the deteriorating security situation made Yemen an increasingly perilous place to live and work.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
However, negotiations have deteriorated since then.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorate
Verb
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This misinformation can also lead to insurance denials, distorted retirement planning, and worsened stigma.—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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Most of the Corn Belt and Midwest remain drought-free, except for northern Illinois where conditions worsened, the agency said.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Metal can tarnish or degrade when exposed to humidity, and many materials degrade when exposed to cardboard that isn't acid-free.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
19 July 2025
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In the last year, Israel has managed to significantly degrade the capabilities of its adversaries, particularly Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and its June conflict with Iran – with the help of the U.S. – was widely seen as having dealt a significant blow to Tehran’s abilities to harm the Jewish state.—
Natasha Turak,
CNBC,
18 July 2025
Verb
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The school plans to kick off the upcoming high school football season with the new seating, which replaced crumbling concrete bleachers that were estimated at roughly 50 years old.—
Katie Nixon,
The Tennessean,
25 July 2025
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Gran Sasso National Park has trails that weave through medieval villages, crumbling castles, and valleys where wild horses still roam.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
23 July 2025
Verb
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This weakens their ability to educate, create, and grow.—
Miguel Cardona,
Time,
21 July 2025
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This could help verify recent findings from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) that suggest this strange force is actually weakening over time.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
20 July 2025
Verb
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Brown-Forman's sales declined 5% in the 2025 fiscal year, partly due to ongoing tariff disputes.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
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Trump has made fighting big city crime and disorder a major plank of his second White House term, although most measures show crime is declining.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
24 July 2025
Verb
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When politicians—rather than professionals—can select which types of research can be funded and how that money can be spent based on their own preferences, the entire pursuit of knowledge is corrupted.—
Brian Sandberg,
Time,
16 July 2025
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Any profession can corrupt its practitioners — and arts critics are no exception.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Riders descend the steep volcanic slope at speeds up to 40 miles per hour, wearing jumpsuits and goggles for protection.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
26 July 2025
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The company descended into a form of professional wrestling madness as storylines no longer made sense, with the curtain frequently pulled back to expose pro wrestling in a way that was heresy to many longtime fans.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, the cultural visibility of this incomparable art has been diminishing for years, at least in this country.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
20 July 2025
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Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorate. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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