deteriorate
Americanverb (used with or without object)
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to make or become worse or inferior in condition, character, quality, value, etc.
- Synonyms:
- worsen, decline, degenerate
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to disintegrate or wear away.
verb
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to make or become worse or lower in quality, value, character, etc; depreciate
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(intr) to wear away or disintegrate
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have deterioratedperfect
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has deterioratedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been deterioratingperfect progressive
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are deterioratingprogressive
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am deterioratingprogressive 1st person singular
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has been deterioratingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is deterioratingprogressive 3rd person singular
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deterioratingparticiple
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deterioratessingular 3rd person
Past
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had deterioratedperfect
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had been deterioratingperfect progressive
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were deterioratingprogressive plural
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was deterioratingprogressive singular
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deterioratedsimple
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deterioratedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of deteriorate
First recorded in 1565–75; from Late Latin dēteriōrātus “made worse,” past participle of dēteriōrāre “to make worse,” from Latin dēterior “worse,” from dē de- + -ter-, element in adjectives relating to spatial orientation + -ior, comparative suffix; cf. exterior, interior
Explanation
When something gets worse due to neglect or an unfortunate health problem, stuff starts to deteriorate — or fall apart. The word deteriorate describes anytime something gets worse. Due to neglect, a relationship can deteriorate but so can the American highway system. Sadly, there seems to be no end to applications for the word deteriorate. And, the truth is at a certain age we all start deteriorating too.
Vocabulary lists containing deteriorate
List 3
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30 GRE Words Beginning with "D"
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Fidel Castro (1926-2016) Memorial List
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Should we get a resolution that leads to a recovery in oil and gas supply then the US trade deficit will quickly deteriorate once again," he said.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
He says this could represent heightened risk if market conditions deteriorate, especially with Virgin Australia’s value-conscious customers potentially more sensitive to an economic downturn.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026
It expected the situation "to deteriorate further" and "become unmanageable" as passenger volumes increased towards the summer peak.
From BBC • May 29, 2026
While convenient, these warmer conditions speed up respiration and ripening, causing fruit to soften and deteriorate more rapidly.
From Science Daily • May 23, 2026
At the same time, people began to move out of the old row houses in East and West Baltimore, as those began to deteriorate as well.
From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
