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
In fact, tile roofs rarely deteriorate evenly across an entire roof.
—
Mike McGilvary, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
Lozano’s relationship with Varas deteriorated in early October, when he was subbed at halftime of a game at Houston and suspended following a heated verbal altercation in the locker room.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Since then, Castellanos has appeared in the 2023 All-Star Game, provided league-average offense and struggled in right field as his relationships with coaches and teammates deteriorated.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Prosecutors argue that Colin Gray was aware that his son's mental health had deteriorated in the weeks before the shooting, but still gave the teen the assault-style weapon as a Christmas gift and purchased a laser sight, tactical vest, and ammunition for him.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
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Mike McGilvary, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
Lozano’s relationship with Varas deteriorated in early October, when he was subbed at halftime of a game at Houston and suspended following a heated verbal altercation in the locker room.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Since then, Castellanos has appeared in the 2023 All-Star Game, provided league-average offense and struggled in right field as his relationships with coaches and teammates deteriorated.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Prosecutors argue that Colin Gray was aware that his son's mental health had deteriorated in the weeks before the shooting, but still gave the teen the assault-style weapon as a Christmas gift and purchased a laser sight, tactical vest, and ammunition for him.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 13 Feb. 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 19 Feb. 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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