deteriorate
Americanverb (used with or without object)
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deteriorates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
deteriorated,
past participle, past
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deteriorating
present participle
-
to make or become worse or inferior in condition, character, quality, value, etc.
- Synonyms:
- worsen, decline, degenerate
-
to disintegrate or wear away.
verb
-
to make or become worse or lower in quality, value, character, etc; depreciate
-
(intr) to wear away or disintegrate
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
deterioratesimple
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deterioratessimple
-
have deterioratedperfect
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has deterioratedperfect
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am deterioratingprogressive
-
are deterioratingprogressive
-
is deterioratingprogressive
-
have been deterioratingperfect progressive
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has been deterioratingperfect progressive
Past
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deterioratedsimple
-
had deterioratedperfect
-
was deterioratingprogressive
-
were deterioratingprogressive
-
had been deterioratingperfect progressive
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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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.
See Examples For:
Bobker said it’s not a surprise that most major water agencies are rallying around these voluntary deals because it lets them continue largely “business-as-usual” operations while the ecosystem continues to deteriorate.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
This is about how people express concern for young women whose bodies we’ve witnessed deteriorate on screen — and that they do at all.
From Salon ● Aug. 13, 2026
"Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate as the day progresses, so these hours are being used to battle the flames," she said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026
The evidence offers a compelling explanation for why some damaged valves may deteriorate faster, but it does not replace imaging, clinical evaluation, or individualized decisions about antidepressant treatment.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026
“It is time to call a halt to the practice of allowing houses to deteriorate while building further houses which are then allowed to deteriorate,” argued the organization.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
Balance naturally deteriorates as our eyesight, sense of touch, strength and vestibular systems decline.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
The results suggest that progression in chronic blood cancers may be biologically 'encoded' years before a patient's condition visibly deteriorates.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 1, 2026
At the same time, officials who believe policy is still restrictive have worried that holding firm carries its own risk if the labor market deteriorates further.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 18, 2026
He has also prepared a contingency exit plan if the situation deteriorates further.
From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2026
Dr Meredith thought about this, then said again: 'If he deteriorates, call me immediately.'
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
He eventually hired a lawyer, but the relationship quickly deteriorated.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 26, 2026
After ups and downs, her condition deteriorated and she died on Aug. 9.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
His condition deteriorated so much he had to give up work as a borehole engineer.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
Her own finances have deteriorated amid the economic pressures of the war.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
While I’m brushing my teeth, I think about how our sisterhood deteriorated.
From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King
Things look toughest for Hewlett Packard, where a third-quarter beat is already priced in and the fourth-quarter outlook may reflect deteriorating trends, the analysts write.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
Blumenthal voiced concern for such extended deployments, noting "widespread reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues, deteriorating mental health, deck safety concerns" and other problems aboard the Lincoln.
From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026
Reggie Bannister died after a decade of battling dementia and Parkinson’s disease and deteriorating health.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
It comes as Mali's security situation appears to be deteriorating, more than a decade after a jihadist insurgency began taking root in the north of the country.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
Unlike paper, the handkerchief could travel hand to hand without deteriorating.
From "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys
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.
