Synonyms for deteriorate
Most common
Definitions
- v. 1
To make worse; to make inferior in quality or value; to impair.
Related words
- Word family
- deterioration
Forms
- Past participle
- deteriorated
e.g. deteriorated → degenerated, worsened, declined, degraded…
Example sentences
- decline I had to decline the invitation because I was ill.
- degenerate Don't allow your muscles to degenerate.
- degrade Don't degrade yourself by telling such a lie.
- worsen Ziri's actions will only worsen Rima's situation.
- rust My clunker has more rust than paint at this point.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| deteriorate | steady | |
| decline | steady | |
| degenerate | steady | |
| degrade | rising | |
| worsen | rising | |
| rust | falling |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- drop1, fail1, rust1, nerf
- 5 letters
- decay2, spoil1
- 6 letters
- suffer2, weaken2, worsen2, impair2, debase2
- 7 letters
- decline2, degrade2, devolve2
- 9 letters
- aggravate3
- 10 letters
- degenerate4, retrograde3
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (decay2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- détériorer
- Català
- deteriorar