1
as in weakening
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
muscle deterioration resulting from prolonged disuse
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in degradation
a change to a lower state or level
a deterioration in the quality of food at that once-thriving restaurant
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deterioration
The issuance of air quality alerts coincides with a broader national trend in air quality deterioration.
—
Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
That deterioration caused cracks in the masonry, the report released on April 28 found.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
Startups can develop neuroprotective interventions, ranging from nootropic compounds and digital therapeutics to diagnostic tools for early detection of cognitive deterioration.
—Abdo Riani, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Separately, there has also been chatter lately about the general deterioration of Hubble due to its old age.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deterioration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterioration
Noun
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Using her celebrity, Tabei was also an activist for environmental change in high-altitude regions, having grown appalled by the degradation of fragile mountain glaciers that was being caused by the mountaineering industry.—
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To others, a symbol of degradation and objectification.—
Noun
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Teeth grinding can also cause more cavities to occur as grinding teeth together strips them of some of the protective enamel that could otherwise prevent tooth decay.—
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All water has some fluoride, but many cities and counties in the state add more to help prevent tooth decay.—
Noun
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That's when crossings at the border first began their sharp decline, a trend that accelerated after Trump took office.—
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But there are also other factors contributing to the job decline, such as price compression caused by oversupply, which has forced many operators to cut costs, including labor expenses.—
Noun
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Where corporate criminal investigations resolve without filing any criminal charges (through a declination or deferred prosecution agreement), companies should expect victims to still voice their views loudly to the Justice Department and beyond.—
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The changing declination also defines the daily arc that the sun takes across the sky, thereby accounting for the length of daylight.—
Cite this Entry
“Deterioration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterioration. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
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