deterioration

American  

[dih-teer-ee-uh-rey-shuhn] / dɪˌtɪər i əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of deteriorating.

2. the state or condition of having deteriorated.

3. a gradual decline, as in quality, serviceability, or vigor.

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Other Word Forms

• nondeterioration noun

Etymology

Origin of deterioration

1650–60; < Late Latin dēteriōrātiōn- (stem of dēteriōrātiō ), equivalent to dēteriōrāt ( us ) ( deteriorate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Adding to the industry’s problems are signs of deterioration on the loans that private-credit firms originated in recent years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

The U.S. economy was in a vulnerable state before the war and will experience further deterioration in coming months, said Brian Bethune, an economist at Boston College.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 28, 2026

An inquest jury concluded Leona died from a cardiac arrest, but the underlying cause of her sudden deterioration was given as unascertained.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

“Fed officials are likely to resume easing only for clear ‘good’ reasons—more rapid progress toward the 2% inflation target—or clear ‘bad’ reasons—a meaningful deterioration in labor market conditions,” he wrote.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

At the Petersen house, a doctor recorded statistics in the notes he kept, tracking the sad and inevitable deterioration of Lincoln’s condition that night.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

Related Words

• decline
• degradation
• depreciation
• devaluation
• disintegration
• dislocation
• downturn
• slump
• worsening