deterioration

noun

de·​te·​ri·​o·​ra·​tion di-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈrā-shən 

dē-

: the action or process of becoming impaired or inferior in quality, functioning, or condition : the state of having deteriorated

rust deterioration

the deterioration of academic standards

Synonyms

• debilitation
• decay
• decaying
• declension
• decline
• degeneration
• descent
• ebbing
• enfeeblement
• weakening

Choose the Right Synonym for deterioration

deterioration, degeneration, decadence, decline mean the falling from a higher to a lower level in quality, character, or vitality.

deterioration implies generally the impairment of value or usefulness.

the deterioration of the house through neglect

degeneration stresses physical, intellectual, or especially moral retrogression.

the degeneration of their youthful idealism into cynicism

decadence presupposes a reaching and passing the peak of development and implies a turn downward with a consequent loss in vitality or energy.

cited love of luxury as a sign of cultural decadence

decline differs from decadence in suggesting a more markedly downward direction and greater momentum as well as more obvious evidence of deterioration.

the meteoric decline of his career after the scandal

Examples of deterioration in a Sentence

the gradual deterioration of the weather

a deterioration of academic standards

Recent Examples on the Web

The noun is used to describe the deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, sometimes seen a symptom of consuming too much material, specifically online content. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024

Beyond the troubled minds is the physical deterioration: About 56% of Gen Z-ers ages 18 to 25 are obese or overweight. —Jeff Nelligan, Baltimore Sun, 4 Dec. 2024

The events after injecting the substance turn into a battleground as Elisabeth’s disregard for the rules governing her and Sue’s shared body required to coexist leads to her deterioration. —Robert Lang, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2024

Whether that correlates to a higher fee is far less clear, given the deterioration in viewership in recent years. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see deteriorate

First Known Use

circa 1658, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

deterioration

noun

de·​te·​ri·​o·​ra·​tion di-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈrā-shən 

: the action or process of deteriorating : the state of having deteriorated

personality deterioration

neurological deterioration