deterioration

[dih-teer-ee-uh-rey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of deteriorating.

2. the state or condition of having deteriorated.

3. a gradual decline, as in quality, serviceability, or vigor.

Other Word Forms

• nondeterioration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deterioration¹

1650–60; < Late Latin dēteriōrātiōn- (stem of dēteriōrātiō ), equivalent to dēteriōrāt ( us ) ( deteriorate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

The animals are resistant to cancer, deterioration of the brain and spinal cord, and arthritis, so many scientists want to understand more about how their bodies work.

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The archipelago is vulnerable to climate change and is facing rising sea levels, the deterioration of the marine ecosystem -- particularly its coral reefs -- as well as landslides, flooding and drought.

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Given the deterioration in the labor market, most Fed officials judged that it would likely “be appropriate to ease policy further over the remainder of the year.”

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There is a way that these repetitive movements can ward off calamities, outfox deterioration, at least to a point.

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Some on Wall Street said investors don’t actually think the risk of default, or credit deterioration, is the lowest in 27 years.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• decline 
• degradation 
• depreciation 
• devaluation 
• disintegration 
• dislocation 
• downturn 
• slump 
• worsening www.thesaurus.com