DETERIORATES Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

deteriorates

verb

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

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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

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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 Iraola’s dismissal came as a surprise to a number of his players, although Catala, who later managed Larnaca, explains that there is a volatility to decision-making in Cyprus if form deteriorates. — Andy Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026 The key is to compare those options before your financial situation deteriorates further. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 As security deteriorates around the Gulf and prospects for a near-term peace deal recede, regional states are strengthening their defenses. — semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026 When judgment deteriorates, every downstream outcome eventually reflects it. — Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Presidents fall, elections are held, and international interventions return — yet insecurity deepens and governance deteriorates. — José Singer, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026 The ultra-rare condition, which affects about one in 150,000 infants, can lead to almost total vision loss by the late teens as the retina deteriorates over time. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 24 July 2026 As a result, the quality of life of those that work and live in these rural areas deteriorates. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026 In Gosha’s case, that involves getting mixed up with gangsters at a seedy nightclub, a sequence that quickly deteriorates from being mildly comical to sinister to outright terrifying by even degrees. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorates

Verb

Those with lupus need to avoid the sun, while some with psoriasis get relief from it; storms can trigger migraines and joint pain; hot weather worsens postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

— Lorraine Boissoneault, STAT, 12 Aug. 2026
When the outlook for a company’s fundamentals worsens, investors often respond by trading the stock down.

— Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of worsens

Verb

These are exactly the kinds of workflows where human attention degrades over time and for which automation and AI are ideally suited.

— Tal Lev-Ami, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
But because niobium diselenide degrades rapidly in air, scientists have not been able to reliably fabricate devices at the wafer scale.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of degrades

Verb

As that constraint weakens, so, too, may an incentive for restraint.

— Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Infants with the condition may have lifelong complications and may need a heart transplant if the defect is complex, or if the heart weakens after surgery, according to the federal health agency.

— Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of weakens

Verb

Over time, as players bluff, bargain, and make increasingly dubious trades, trust starts to erode, more and more adverse selection happens — and the game descends into a kind of joyful chaos.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026
As Rhaenyra slowly descends into a pit of despair and desperation, Daemon and his armies run into some snags on their assault of Tumbleton thanks to the various tricks Lord Ormund has up his sleeves.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of descends

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deteriorated

deteriorates

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“Deteriorates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorates. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of deteriorates

verb

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