1
as in to worsen
to become worse or of less value
the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect
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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
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Examples of deteriorate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As Putin kept stacking charges, the conditions of his imprisonment deteriorated.
—
Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2024
The situation has deteriorated to the point that the finger-pointing has begun, with Harris’s Pennsylvania campaign manager, Nikki Lu, taking much of the blame.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Oct. 2024
Senior Israeli officials admit that although the government in Jerusalem did not like the harsh U.S. ultimatum, the situation in Gaza has deteriorated in contrast with the Israeli Cabinet's official policy on sustaining humanitarian aid, and this could be a chance to correct the course.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024
Going into open enrollment, nearly 1 in 5 employees cite deteriorating mental health, according to a recent report by Gallagher.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deteriorate 
Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2024
The situation has deteriorated to the point that the finger-pointing has begun, with Harris’s Pennsylvania campaign manager, Nikki Lu, taking much of the blame.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Oct. 2024
Senior Israeli officials admit that although the government in Jerusalem did not like the harsh U.S. ultimatum, the situation in Gaza has deteriorated in contrast with the Israeli Cabinet's official policy on sustaining humanitarian aid, and this could be a chance to correct the course.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024
Going into open enrollment, nearly 1 in 5 employees cite deteriorating mental health, according to a recent report by Gallagher.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deteriorate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deteriorate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Deteriorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorate. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
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