deteriorate
Americanverb (used with or without object)
-
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
- deterioration noun
- deteriorative adjective
- undeteriorated adjective
- undeteriorative adjective
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; exterior, interior
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.
This means when fundamentals deteriorate, it’s difficult for the ETFs to meet redemptions quickly enough.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026
For longevity seekers like Scott and Chitwood, the reasons behind their pursuit is simple: They see the way older people deteriorate, and they want to ensure they avoid that fate.
From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026
In response, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to ensure TSA agents are paid, an emergency measure aimed at stabilizing the workforce before conditions deteriorate further.
From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026
The firm expects net flows for retail private credit vehicles to deteriorate further into the second half of 2026, “given lower prospective returns and considerable negative media coverage on this topic.”
From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026
When weariness sets in, a writer’s ability to behold an entire branch of the tree can deteriorate.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
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.
