DETERIORATES Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

deteriorates

verb

Definition of deteriorates next

present tense third-person singular of deteriorate

as in worsens

to become worse or of less value the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in degrades

to lower in character, dignity, or quality childish name-calling that merely deteriorates what should be a serious discussion on an important issue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of deteriorates That is why a hedge here makes sense while markets sit near highs, VIX remains compressed near the high teens, and investors are still leaning heavily into a handful of leadership names as the macro backdrop deteriorates. —

Tony Zhang, CNBC, 13 May 2026 Hospitals use the same billing codes for the ER visit, whether a patient’s condition deteriorates or not. —

Andrew Jones, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026 Her condition rapidly deteriorates to the point where Abbott and Robby are forced to do a C-Section in the ER, with seconds to spare to save her life and the life of the baby. —

Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026 Originally staged at Avignon in 2025, the play follows a father and daughter whose bond is tested across the vastness of space as one of them starts a new life on Mars while Earth deteriorates. —

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026 Despite his professional success, his home life deteriorates, particularly his relationship with his daughter. —

Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026 And as our credit deteriorates, borrowing gets more expensive, forcing us to borrow more to keep up, which worsens our credit further. —

Bill Conway, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026 When hospitals operate under extreme and unpredictable demand spikes, patient safety deteriorates. —

Eugene Litvak, STAT, 27 Mar. 2026 The turtle slows, more organisms attach, and the animal’s condition deteriorates. —

Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorates

Verb

This can create a cycle where stress worsens physical symptoms and, in turn, the symptoms increase stress and anxiety.

— Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 15 May 2026
The steps taken in the hours and days after receiving that notice can play a major role in determining how much income is protected, and, ultimately, whether the situation worsens or becomes more manageable.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 14 May 2026