deteriorate
[ dih-teer-ee-uh-reyt ]
/ dɪˈtɪər i əˌreɪt /
verb (used with or without object), de·te·ri·o·rat·ed, de·te·ri·o·rat·ing.
to make or become worse or inferior in character, quality, value, etc.
to disintegrate or wear away.
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Origin of deteriorate
SYNONYMS FOR deteriorate
OTHER WORDS FROM deteriorate
de·te·ri·o·ra·tive, adjectiveun·de·te·ri·o·rat·ed, adjectiveun·de·te·ri·o·rat·ing, adjectiveun·de·te·ri·o·ra·tive, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for deteriorate
British Dictionary definitions for deteriorate
deteriorate
/ (dɪˈtɪərɪəˌreɪt) /
verb
to make or become worse or lower in quality, value, character, etc; depreciate
(intr) to wear away or disintegrate
Derived forms of deteriorate
deterioration, noundeteriorative, adjectiveWord Origin for deteriorate
C16: from Late Latin dēteriōrāre, from Latin dēterior worse
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for deteriorate
deteriorate
[ dĭ-tîr′ē-ə-rāt′ ]
v.
To grow worse in function or condition.
To weaken or disintegrate.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.