deteriorate

[ dih-teer-ee-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with or without object)

, de·te·ri·o·rat·ed, de·te·ri·o·rat·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• deˌterioˈration, noun
• deˈteriorative, adjective

Other Words From

• de·te·ri·o·ra·tive adjective
• un·de·te·ri·o·rat·ed adjective
• un·de·te·ri·o·ra·tive adjective

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

As the SERP situation deteriorated, the communication with the agency first soured, then the collaboration was terminated without the problem being resolved.

From Search Engine Land

In just the United States, we’re looking at about $200 billion a year in deteriorating infrastructure.

From Fortune

The error bars around short-season WAR are huge, and “on-pace” stats during a season usually deteriorate quickly.

From FiveThirtyEight

The situation could deteriorate further as job losses have begun to mount.

From Ozy

The Dalia survey also found that across the board, public perceptions of US global influence have markedly deteriorated.

From MIT Technology Review

At the same time, the Easter Elchies House began to deteriorate.

From The Daily Beast

Yet, in pursuit of that ‘great revival of art,’ his anxiety, depression, and overall health began to deteriorate.

From The Daily Beast

As he got older, the two stopped going to the park, and their relationship began to deteriorate.

From The Daily Beast

This includes the ongoing and intensifying insurgency by "Jihadist" militants in Sinai, which continues to deteriorate.

From The Daily Beast

But if the situation continues to deteriorate, that could start to change quickly.

From The Daily Beast

Wines during fermentation, if improperly managed, will produce acetic acid, which will greatly deteriorate their quality.

From Project Gutenberg

But baked potatoes deteriorate every moment they stand after they are tender.

From Project Gutenberg

Why is it that the more wealthy, all over Europe, who get flesh more or less, deteriorate in their families so rapidly?

From Project Gutenberg

In case they should sprout, the sprouts should be removed at once, for the potatoes will deteriorate rapidly with such a growth.

From Project Gutenberg

Care should be taken to cover each center completely or its quality will deteriorate upon standing.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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