deteriorating 1 of 2

adjective

1
as in deteriorated

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in declining

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Dissimilar Words

deteriorating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of deteriorate
1
as in crumbling
to become worse or of less value the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in degrading
to lower in character, dignity, or quality childish name-calling that merely deteriorates what should be a serious discussion on an important issue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example 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 deteriorating
Adjective
The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office reminded the public that the Avalanche Gulch route is not recommended at this time of year due to deteriorating conditions, rockfall and winter weather, as is posted at the trailhead. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 The Federal Bureau of Prisons closed the site in 2024 due to deteriorating conditions and understaffing. — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 9 June 2026
Verb
The referendum would authorize Miami to issue $450 million in general obligation bonds to repair or replace deteriorating police and fire-rescue facilities, including construction of a new public safety building near Miami Freedom Park. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 Declining industrial demand can make the electricity balance sheet look healthier, when the reality is that the economy is deteriorating under the pressure of relentless attacks. — Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026 Shaun Rein, managing director at China Market Research Group, expects further selling pressure as geopolitical uncertainty, concerns over an artificial intelligence bubble and deteriorating consumer confidence weigh on investor sentiment. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 The county’s staff report warned that the deteriorating pipe could cause more ground collapses, damage nearby property and interfere with stormwater drainage. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026 The summit was intended partly to demonstrate European solidarity with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states amid the war, making its postponement a clear reflection of the deteriorating security situation. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 The creditors’ committee, however, does not appear to believe that the business simply failed due to deteriorating market conditions. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026 Authorities warned against hiking this route this time of year due to deteriorating conditions and the onset of winter weather. — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 Despite his alleged deteriorating health, King Charles has shown resilience by continuing to work and make public appearances. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 16 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deteriorating
  1. deteriorated
  2. declining
  3. crumbling
  4. degrading
  5. decaying
  6. fading
  7. worsening
  8. weakening
Adjective
  • Clark said the supports are needed because equipment used in the investigation is too heavy and difficult to maneuver safely on the deteriorated floor.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
  • According to the officer, the decision to classify Sands' death as such was the result of the deteriorated condition of his body.
    — Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026
Definition of deteriorated
Adjective
  • While pruning, remove any winter damage, along with dead and declining growths, to allow new shoots to reform the plant.
    — Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 6 Mar. 2021
  • In order to reopen, counties must demonstrate declining prevalence of COVID-19, testing ability of 30 tests per 10,000 residents per week, contact tracing and isolation facilities.
    — Fox News, Fox News, 15 May 2020
Definition of declining
Verb
  • Nearly a third of its education budget is eaten up by pensions, so its poorer schools are crumbling.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In Frankfurt, a gray city crumbling at the corners and still finding its footing after the war, though somehow doing its best to pretend all is well, Mann and Erika are greeted by the mayor and hustled off to a press conference.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of crumbling
Verb
  • Online critics characterized the Polymarket contract as degrading and questioned why celebrity ambassadors would associate themselves with the company.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Oliver got the show started by kicking his heels together and pointing out that stand-up comedy and a venue like Carnegie Hall are opposing ovals in a Venn diagram, with stand-up degrading such a magnificent space.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of degrading
Adjective
  • Liberal critics, however, argued—also rightly—that the Soviet Union was a decaying, economically crippled giant by the time Reagan was inaugurated.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The district also could be in for other major changes in the coming years, including the opening of a few new schools to replace multiple decaying, underenrolled schools.
    — Scott Travis, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
Definition of decaying
Adjective
  • The classic budget-friendly design features a high-rise waistband that stays put, stretchy fabric that’s moisture-wicking and non-fading, and versatile colors like classic black and army green.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2026
  • In Aniara, the entire natural world is simply absent, a fading, unsustainable memory of something once alive.
    — Jenny Odell, Longreads, 2 June 2026
Definition of fading
Verb
  • Rising utility costs are worsening the affordability crunch facing millions of American families, who are facing sharply higher gasoline and diesel prices amid higher oil costs due to the war in Iran.
    — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Residents are worried about how data centers will affect power and water supplies, as well as worsening noise pollution.
    — Jay Ganglani, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of worsening
Verb
  • OpenAI disclosed a pair of safety incidents that involved AI agents weakening their safety monitoring systems during internal coding tasks.
    — Emma Roth, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, weakening brand loyalty threatens an advantage established manufacturers have relied on for decades.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of weakening

Browse Nearby Words

deteriorates
deteriorating
deterioration
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Cite this Entry

“Deteriorating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deteriorating. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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