Deteriorate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt/ de·te·ri·o·rate

Meaning & Definition of Deteriorate

Deteriorate (verb)

  1. to make worse or lower in quality or value, impair
  2. disintegrate
  3. to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition, become gradually worse

Deteriorate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to become worse or of less value

    "the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect"

    similar: atrophy, crumble, decay, decline, degenerate, descend, devolve, ebb, regress, retrograde, rot, sink, worsen, go to pot, go to seed
    related: abate, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, recede, wane, break down, corrupt, decompose, degrade, dilapidate, disintegrate, molder, putrefy, sour, spoil, lessen, lower, reduce, debilitate, undermine, droop, fail, fall, flag, lag, languish, run down, sag, slip, waste (away), weaken, wilt
    opposite: ameliorate, improve, meliorate
    near: better, upgrade, enhance, enrich, fortify, heighten, intensify, strengthen, advance, develop, march, proceed, progress

  2. to lower in character, dignity, or quality

    "childish name-calling that merely deteriorates what should be a serious discussion on an important issue"

    similar: abase, bastardize, canker, cheapen, corrupt, debase, debauch, degrade, demean, demoralize, deprave, lessen, pervert, poison, profane, prostitute, subvert, vitiate, warp
    related: befoul, begrime, contaminate, defile, dilute, dirty, pollute, taint, thin, water down, weaken, descend, disgrace, dishonor, humble, humiliate, shame, take down, blemish, damage, deface, destroy, flaw, harm, hurt, impair, mar, ruin, spoil, stain, tarnish, wreck, depreciate, downgrade
    opposite: elevate, ennoble, uplift
    near: dignify, exalt, honor, ameliorate, amend, better, enhance, enrich, improve, meliorate, perfect, clarify, clean, cleanse, purify, refine, restore, respect

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Deteriorate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Deteriorate:

atrophy, crumble, decay, decline, degenerate, descend, devolve, ebb, regress, retrograde, rot, sink, worsen, abase, bastardize, canker, cheapen, corrupt, debase, debauch, degrade, demean, demoralize, deprave, lessen, pervert, poison, profane, prostitute, subvert, vitiate, warp, go to pot, go to seed

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Deteriorate

Words with the opposite meaning of Deteriorate:

ameliorate, improve, meliorate, elevate, ennoble, uplift

Related Words for Deteriorate

abate, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, recede, wane, break down, decompose, dilapidate, disintegrate, molder, putrefy, sour, spoil, lower, reduce, debilitate, undermine, droop, fail, fall, flag, lag, languish, run down, sag, slip, waste (away), weaken

Near Antonyms of Deteriorate

better, upgrade, enhance, enrich, fortify, heighten, intensify, strengthen, advance, develop, march, proceed, progress, dignify, exalt, honor, amend, perfect, clarify, clean, cleanse, purify, refine, restore, respect

Word Forms of Deteriorate

Inflections: deteriorated, deteriorating

Derived words: deteriorative (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Deteriorate

Late Latin deterioratus, past participle of deteriorare, from Latin deterior worse, from de- + -ter (suffix as in Latin uter which of two) + -ior (comparative suffix) whether:2, -er

First known use: 1572t

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Deteriorate

Frequently Asked Questions about Deteriorate

What does "Deteriorate" mean?

"Deteriorate" means to make worse or lower in quality or value, impair. As a verb, it is defined as: to make worse or lower in quality or value, impair. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Deteriorate"?

Other words for "Deteriorate" include atrophy, crumble, decay, decline, degenerate, descend, devolve and ebb. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Deteriorate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Deteriorate"?

There are 96 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Deteriorate". Common alternatives include atrophy, crumble, decay, decline, degenerate, descend, devolve, ebb, regress and retrograde.

What is the opposite of "Deteriorate"?

Antonyms of "Deteriorate" include ameliorate, improve, meliorate, elevate, ennoble and uplift. Near antonyms include better, upgrade, enhance and enrich.

How do you use "Deteriorate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Deteriorate" in a sentence: "the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect"; "childish name-calling that merely deteriorates what should be a serious discussion on an important issue".

Is "Deteriorate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Deteriorate" is a verb.

Is "Deteriorate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Deteriorate" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Deteriorate"?

"Deteriorate" is pronounced /di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt/ and divided into syllables as de·te·ri·o·rate.