DETERIORATION Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'deterioration' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deterioration are decadence , decline , and degeneration . While all these words 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

Q: When can 'decadence' be used instead of 'deterioration'?

In some situations, the words decadence and deterioration are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Q: How do 'decline' and 'decadence' relate to one another, in the sense of 'deterioration'?

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

Q: When could 'degeneration' be used to replace 'deterioration'?

The words degeneration and deterioration are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, degeneration stresses physical, intellectual, or especially moral retrogression. // the degeneration of their youthful idealism into cynicism

deterioration

noun

di-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈrā-shən

Definition of deterioration next

as in weakening

a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body muscle deterioration resulting from prolonged disuse

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in degradation

a change to a lower state or level a deterioration in the quality of food at that once-thriving restaurant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the noun deterioration differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deterioration are decadence, decline, and degeneration. While all these words 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

When can decadence be used instead of deterioration?

In some situations, the words decadence and deterioration are roughly equivalent. However, 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

How do decline and decadence relate to one another, in the sense of deterioration?

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

When could degeneration be used to replace deterioration?

The words degeneration and deterioration are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, degeneration stresses physical, intellectual, or especially moral retrogression.

the degeneration of their youthful idealism into cynicism

Examples 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 deterioration This is largely due to the fact that the fire that preserved the papyrus—saving it from the deterioration usually caused by the humidity of Greek soil—also destroyed it. —

Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025 The presence of uncontrollable outside forces—namely time, deterioration, and fragmentation—are continuous lines of inquiry for Mobarak, whose work moves seamlessly between performance, sculpture, moving image, poetry, and music. —

Mariana Fernández, ARTnews.com, 18 Dec. 2024 There’s little that Russia’s central bank can do to tackle inflation— and the ruble’s deterioration — while the war continues, according to analysts Alexandra Prokopenko and Alexander Kolyandr. —

Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2024 Algorithms are used to predict patients' risk of death or deterioration, to suggest diagnoses or triage patients, to record and summarize visits to save doctors work, and to approve insurance claims. —

Darius Tahir | Kff Health News, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for deterioration

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterioration

Noun

Yet the devastation that Israel inflicted on Hezbollah last year, the general degradation of Iran’s militia network, and the failure of Tehran’s strategy of using Arab fighters as a forward defense against Israel and the U.S. were decisive.

— Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2025
Users could still watch and download videos, but over time, this lack of updates could cause significant degradation of the app’s performance.

— Cherie Brooke Luo, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025