deteriorate
verb
de·te·ri·o·rate
di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt 
dē-
deteriorated; deteriorating
1
: to make worse or lower in quality or value : impair
Exposure to sunlight may deteriorate the paint.
2
: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : become gradually worse
allowed a tradition of academic excellence to deteriorate
His health deteriorated.
Examples of deteriorate in a Sentence
efforts to save a deteriorating rain forest
Exposure to rain and sun will gradually deteriorate the paint.
Recent Examples on the Web
But the conditions in nursing homes and assisted living centers around Colorado, where residents often receive as little as two hours of direct care each day, are deteriorating.
—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
5 July 2026
Officials said conditions deteriorated rapidly as strong winds and heavy waves developed, creating hazardous conditions for boaters.
—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
4 July 2026
While the Katalyst Space team has identified some points based on Swift’s design, the observatory’s multilayer insulation may have deteriorated or shifted after having been in orbit for more than two decades.
—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
3 July 2026
As weather conditions deteriorated near the summit, three climbers turned back, while Morup and two colleagues continued their ascent.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
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Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
5 July 2026
Officials said conditions deteriorated rapidly as strong winds and heavy waves developed, creating hazardous conditions for boaters.
—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
4 July 2026
While the Katalyst Space team has identified some points based on Swift’s design, the observatory’s multilayer insulation may have deteriorated or shifted after having been in orbit for more than two decades.
—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
3 July 2026
As weather conditions deteriorated near the summit, three climbers turned back, while Morup and two colleagues continued their ascent.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deteriorate. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deteriorate
verb
de·te·ri·o·rate
di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt
deteriorated; deteriorating
1
: to make or become worse or of less value : degenerate
deterioration
noun
-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈrā-shən
Medical Definition
deteriorate
intransitive verb
de·te·ri·o·rate
di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt
deteriorated; deteriorating
: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate
her health deteriorated
deteriorating vision
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