deteriorate

[dih-teer-ee-uh-reyt]

verb (used with or without object)

deteriorated, deteriorating 

1. to make or become worse or inferior in condition, character, quality, value, etc.

   Synonyms: worsen, decline, degenerate

2. to disintegrate or wear away.

deteriorate

/ dɪˈtɪərɪəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to make or become worse or lower in quality, value, character, etc; depreciate

2. (intr) to wear away or disintegrate

Other Word Forms

• deteriorative adjective
• undeteriorated adjective
• undeteriorative adjective
• deterioration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deteriorate¹

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; exterior, interior

Word History and Origins

Origin of deteriorate¹

C16: from Late Latin dēteriōrāre, from Latin dēterior worse

Example Sentences

But it happens more frequently when financial markets get frothy and due diligence deteriorates.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The situation has sharply deteriorated since the start of 2024, when gangs forced then prime minister Ariel Henry to step down.

Read more on Barron's

While the door remains open for easing if Singapore’s growth and inflation deteriorate more than expected, the central bank is likely to preserve policy ammunition for now, he added.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Hopes of a move back to Southern California from Nashville, Tenn., to be closer to Skyy for what might be his final college season had been slowly dwindling because of Kenny’s deteriorating health.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The condominium market in Canada, particularly in the Toronto and Vancouver areas, is feeling the stress and has deteriorated further since the spring, the regulator said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• crumble 
• decline 
• degrade 
• depreciate 
• disintegrate 
• ebb 
• fade 
• fail 
• fall apart 
• languish 
• lessen 
• lower 
• regress 
• sink 
• slide 
• undermine 
• weaken 
• worsen