1
as in deteriorated
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in declining
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in crumbling
to become worse or of less value
the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in degrading
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
childish name-calling that merely deteriorates what should be a serious discussion on an important issue
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deteriorating
George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Harris said the mad dash to achieve human-level AI could create harmful incentives for unchecked growth, ultimately deteriorating safety, security, and economic well-being.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
At a minimum, Advantage suggested the deteriorating beams be replaced.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2026
Many had dual citizenship, a remnant of the time, not so long ago, when Venezuela was the prosperous and stable oil-rich country next door, while Colombia was in the grips of an intractable and deteriorating crisis.
—Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
School officials across the region said the early dismissals were intended to allow students and staff to travel home safely ahead of deteriorating conditions.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
Because of deteriorating conditions, operations were transitioned to a defensive strategy, Marceau said.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Another 2024 study published in Biology found that adults who did strength training had a lower biological age—suggesting that their bodies were deteriorating more slowly than is typical for their chronological age.
—Jamie Friedlander Serrano, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
There are five other main characters with rapidly deteriorating lives that deserve our attention, but what is a recapper to do?
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
In addition to default notices, a group of commercial property owners at Blackhawk Plaza have filed a lawsuit in Contra Costa County Superior Court that paints a picture of deteriorating conditions at the once-vibrant shopping center.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Harris said the mad dash to achieve human-level AI could create harmful incentives for unchecked growth, ultimately deteriorating safety, security, and economic well-being.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
At a minimum, Advantage suggested the deteriorating beams be replaced.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2026
Many had dual citizenship, a remnant of the time, not so long ago, when Venezuela was the prosperous and stable oil-rich country next door, while Colombia was in the grips of an intractable and deteriorating crisis.
—Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
School officials across the region said the early dismissals were intended to allow students and staff to travel home safely ahead of deteriorating conditions.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
Because of deteriorating conditions, operations were transitioned to a defensive strategy, Marceau said.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Another 2024 study published in Biology found that adults who did strength training had a lower biological age—suggesting that their bodies were deteriorating more slowly than is typical for their chronological age.
—Jamie Friedlander Serrano, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
There are five other main characters with rapidly deteriorating lives that deserve our attention, but what is a recapper to do?
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorating
Adjective
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The cheaper real estate solution would typically be to tear down a deteriorated structure, Matthews told The News.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Inside was a woman’s deteriorated body, wrapped in duct tape and plastic sheets.—
Jesse Bedayn,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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While pruning, remove any winter damage, along with dead and declining growths, to allow new shoots to reform the plant.—
Tom MacCubbin,
orlandosentinel.com,
6 Mar. 2021
-
In order to reopen, counties must demonstrate declining prevalence of COVID-19, testing ability of 30 tests per 10,000 residents per week, contact tracing and isolation facilities.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
15 May 2020
Verb
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With ceilings crumbling and utilities failing, residents are looking to the courts to intervene.—
Elle McLogan,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Louvre Museum tightens security measures News of the robbery shocked the world and sparked criticism over the museum's inadequate security and crumbling infrastructure.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Military planners outlined potential operational concepts aimed at degrading the program, including strikes on key manufacturing and development sites.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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Making buses free risks degrading performance.—
Josh Appel,
Washington Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Livaura Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Cream Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that boosts cell turnover and collagen production, while fading wrinkles, fine lines, and reducing visible signs of aging like dullness, dark spots, and texture.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
18 Jan. 2026
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Later classified AT2025ulz, the object displayed similar, fading red wavelengths as GW170817.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Gripped by a worsening economic crisis, Cuba’s government recently adopted rationing measures to protect essential services and ration fuel supplies for key sectors.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
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The five preceding episodes depicted Louie’s worsening health, with Harden keeping a dignified smile on Louie’s face but also moving a little slower and admitting to more pain.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But the big problem is why the dollar is weakening.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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Nevertheless, proponents of the theory have suggested without evidence that the substation’s electromagnetic fields could be damaging players’ soft tissues and weakening their tendons.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Mike Buckley designed the scenery, which includes the ramshackle cabin and children’s swing in Bountiful.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
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So now, the ramshackle Coinjock School sits in the restaurant’s backyard and his plan for restoration keeps getting more ambitious with each passing year.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorating. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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