deteriorate

[ dih-teer-ee-uh-reyt ]
/ dɪˈtɪər i əˌreɪt /

verb (used with or without object), de·te·ri·o·rat·ed, de·te·ri·o·rat·ing.

to make or become worse or inferior in character, quality, value, etc.
to disintegrate or wear away.

Origin of deteriorate

1565–75; < Late Latin dēteriōrātus made worse (past participle of dēteriōrāre), equivalent to Latin dēterior worse ( from + -ter- formative in adjectives of spatial orientation (cf. exterior, interior) + -ior comparative suffix) + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM deteriorate

de·te·ri·o·ra·tive, adjective un·de·te·ri·o·rat·ed, adjective un·de·te·ri·o·rat·ing, adjective un·de·te·ri·o·ra·tive, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for deteriorating

British Dictionary definitions for deteriorating

deteriorate
/ (dɪˈtɪərɪəˌreɪt) /

verb

to make or become worse or lower in quality, value, character, etc; depreciate
(intr) to wear away or disintegrate

Derived forms of deteriorate

deterioration, noun deteriorative, adjective

Word Origin for deteriorate

C16: from Late Latin dēteriōrāre, from Latin dēterior worse

Medical definitions for deteriorating

deteriorate
[ dĭ-tîrē-ə-rāt′ ]

v.

To grow worse in function or condition.
To weaken or disintegrate.