1
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
2
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
Exposure to such content also deteriorates her audience’s ability to form beliefs on the basis of the evidence and primes them for skepticism toward consequential matters like vaccines and medicine.
—
Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
There is still plenty of long-term risk, depending on the rate at which Connor’s game deteriorates in his 30s.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Breaking them down to save for a later date isn’t enough, as bugs will still nestle their way in even as the cardboard deteriorates.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Our hygiene deteriorates.
—Eli Sharabi, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
Still, strategists cited risks related to the impact of tariffs on inflation and the potential for consumer spending to slow down if the labor market deteriorates further.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Eventually, due to lack of movement, muscle tissue deteriorates, and parts of your body stop functioning permanently.
—Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Trust erodes, culture deteriorates, and the long-term health of the organization is put at risk.
—Christopher Kaufman, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
This means green signals are inherently weaker, and when outdoor sunlight adds noise, the measurement range shrinks even further, and accuracy deteriorates.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
There is still plenty of long-term risk, depending on the rate at which Connor’s game deteriorates in his 30s.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Breaking them down to save for a later date isn’t enough, as bugs will still nestle their way in even as the cardboard deteriorates.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Our hygiene deteriorates.
—Eli Sharabi, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
Still, strategists cited risks related to the impact of tariffs on inflation and the potential for consumer spending to slow down if the labor market deteriorates further.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Eventually, due to lack of movement, muscle tissue deteriorates, and parts of your body stop functioning permanently.
—Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Trust erodes, culture deteriorates, and the long-term health of the organization is put at risk.
—Christopher Kaufman, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
This means green signals are inherently weaker, and when outdoor sunlight adds noise, the measurement range shrinks even further, and accuracy deteriorates.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorates
Verb
-
Just like a traditional hangover, ignoring the need to rest only worsens an introvert hangover.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Chronic brain inflammation contributes to neuronal death and worsens amyloid and tau pathology.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Gasoline mixed with ethanol degrades even faster than pure gasoline and may not even last three months.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
-
The setup only degrades further over the four episodes screened for critics.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Toby’s display, overall, looks a lot nicer, but when Paul goes to take a slice of his cake from the chocolate case, the whole thing crumbles to a mess.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 Oct. 2025
-
At times, the house would break apart onstage, with the top half lifted in the air, only for YoungBoy to start aggressively rapping, standing supreme while the house crumbles around him.—
Jayson Buford,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The rising intolerance that results erodes social cohesion, undermines support for democratic norms and weakens trust in institutions.—
Andrew Rojecki,
The Conversation,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Blocking them causes disruption to the cells’ energy-generating mitochondria and leads to oxidative stress, which further weakens cancer.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a 20-second black and white video of the strike posted to X, a small boat can be seen apparently sitting motionless on the water when a long thin projectile descends on it, triggering an explosion.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
As music and dance meld in celebration of artistry, culture and history, an evil descends, threatening to devour the fabric and heart of the community — and all that Smoke and Stack have worked to achieve.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In older men, as testosterone naturally declines, gynecomastia becomes more common, often combined with weight gain or medications that alter hormone levels.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Nazareth now declines to confirm whether the deal has been finalized off-screen or not.—
Tom Huddleston Jr.,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
To show him who’s boss, Catherine turns around and buys Pac-North, humiliates him by closing it, and forces him back to Grey Sloan.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Oct. 2025
-
There’s always a moment in which somebody humiliates the villain and now all the love in him is gone.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deteriorates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorates. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share