deteriorate
verb (used with or without object)
to make or become worse or inferior in condition, character, quality, value, etc.
has been deteriorating
-
present perfect progressiveof deteriorate (3rd person singular).present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
The U.S. fiscal outlook has been deteriorating for years, and about $10 trillion in government debt is coming due this year.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 17, 2026
The Marcos-Duterte relationship has been deteriorating almost since the start of their administration three years ago.
From BBC ● May 13, 2025
California water regulators have released a long-awaited analysis of options for managing flows in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, where fish populations have been declining and the ecosystem has been deteriorating.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2023
The health of Hannibal Gadhafi has been deteriorating since he went on hunger strike on June 3, to protest his detention without trial.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 14, 2023
From a defective system of agriculture the soil of the old States has been deteriorating for several years.
From Old Mackinaw The Fortress of the Lakes and its Surroundings by W. P. (William Peter) Strickland
