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, Mr Jones said, the works were to a poor standard and not completed, and the building deteriorated.

Read more on BBC

Ceilings in the tunnels have begun to deteriorate, causing chunks of concrete to fall and putting employees and the heating system at risk, he said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The younger brother said his sister had been bedridden for the last two years and as her health deteriorated she appeared to have stopped breathing on Saturday, according to the temple's manager.

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For individual sectors, the manufacturing, trade and construction industries all saw sentiment deteriorate in November.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Japanese officials worry the economy could suffer if relations deteriorate further, especially if China chooses to squeeze Japan’s access to rare-earth minerals critical to manufacturing.

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