deterioration

American  

[dih-teer-ee-uh-rey-shuhn] / dɪˌtɪər i əˈreɪ ʃən /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• nondeterioration
  noun

Etymology

Origin of deterioration

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

Explanation

If something is in a state of deterioration, it's getting worse. A crumbling old house with a caved-in roof and foot-tall weeds growing through the deck is going through deterioration. Deterioration implies that things are falling apart: something once in good condition is now weakened, worn out, or otherwise in decline. Things often undergo deterioration because of neglect. Time also has a lot to do with deterioration. Museum curators are always worried about stopping the deterioration of their prized antiquities, like the ancient Egyptian mummies that should not be exposed to air.

Example Sentences

Participants who received the real gait retraining reported pain relief comparable to medication, and MRI scans suggested they had less knee cartilage deterioration than people in the placebo group.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

"Despite a serious deterioration of consumer finances -- largely because of gas prices and inflation, to which Walmart's core customer is very sensitive -- Walmart has retained guidance for the full fiscal year."

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged Wednesday the deterioration of the island’s electricity grid, which has “become particularly tense in recent days.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Restoration work is being planned for one of York's most significant historic buildings to protect it from further deterioration.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

But a decade later, the rapidly growing prison population inevitably led to a deterioration in the conditions of confinement.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Related Words

• decline
• degradation
• depreciation
• devaluation
• disintegration
• dislocation
• downturn
• slump
• worsening