1
as in to worsen
to become worse or of less value
the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to degrade
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
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Recent Examples of deteriorate
By April 1848, however, conditions had deteriorated significantly.
—
Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025
While there are no indications of any issues, such concentration remains a risk should the relationship between Walmart and General Mills deteriorate in any way.
—David Trainer, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
And Pakistan’s internal security landscape has deteriorated, as militant groups ramp up attacks in the country’s northeast, along the border with Afghanistan, and separatist insurgents test state control in the southwest.
—Zia Ur-Rehman, New York Times, 16 May 2025
The Context The Frederick Douglass Tunnel is designed to replace the Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel, which is more than 150 years old and restricts trains to 30 mph because of its tight curves and deteriorating structure.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025
While there are no indications of any issues, such concentration remains a risk should the relationship between Walmart and General Mills deteriorate in any way.
—David Trainer, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
And Pakistan’s internal security landscape has deteriorated, as militant groups ramp up attacks in the country’s northeast, along the border with Afghanistan, and separatist insurgents test state control in the southwest.
—Zia Ur-Rehman, New York Times, 16 May 2025
The Context The Frederick Douglass Tunnel is designed to replace the Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel, which is more than 150 years old and restricts trains to 30 mph because of its tight curves and deteriorating structure.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deteriorate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorate
Verb
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There are also mental health impacts with worsening anxiety, stress, and depression in the hotter summer months.—
Jamie Hailstone,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Relations have only worsened in recent years, as Beijing has leveraged its budding economic and military power to ramp up pressure on its neighbor.—
ELY RATNER,
Foreign Affairs,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Israeli forces are expected to continue their campaign to eliminate remaining Hamas leaders and degrade the group's military capabilities.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
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Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time and can overheat if charged beyond their capacity and cause fires, according to FEMA’s U.S. Fire Administration.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Old systems are crumbling under the pressure of new conditions.—
Kian Bakhtiari,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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For the characters who remain, there’s a sense that the world’s well of meaning has run dry; the old institutions have crumbled, and no one is coming to save us.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
24 May 2025
Verb
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In Colorado, for example, several AI companies recently lobbied to delay and weaken the state’s landmark AI accountability legislation — a preview of what unchecked industry influence could look like under a regulatory freeze.—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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This includes adults who have weakened immune systems, cancer or other underlying health conditions, and some mental health conditions.—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Citigroup, Bank of America and Wells Fargo declined to comment on the WSJ report.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
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The State Department declined to comment on the pope’s status.—
Russ Bynum,
Chicago Tribune,
25 May 2025
Verb
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Absolute power may corrupt absolutely, but absolute wealth can separate the wealthy from reality.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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We were told that he was just morally corrupted by the White House, by Democrats in Congress.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2025
Verb
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The intense setup here is fairly straightforward as these types of sci-fi mystery shows go, with Buenos Aires residents going about their evenings when a sudden nightmarish snowfall descends over the metropolis, killing millions indiscriminately.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
23 May 2025
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The American entrepreneur was one of the five passengers killed on June 18, 2023, while the compact submersible descended en route to the wreckage of the Titanic, and Rush is now in all the talking heads' crosshairs as the villain of this tragic story.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Give credit without diminishing your own contributions.—
Marvin Krislov,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorate. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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