deteriorate | Definition of deteriorate

Synonyms and Antonyms of deteriorate

1 to become worse or of less value

the garden slowly deteriorated after months of neglect

Synonyms of deteriorate

atrophy, crumble, decay, decline, degenerate, descend, devolve, ebb, regress, retrograde, rot, sink, worsen

Words Related to deteriorate

abate, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, recede, wane

break down, corrupt, decompose, degrade, dilapidate, disintegrate, molder, putrefy

lessen, lower, reduce

debilitate, undermine

droop, fail, fall, flag, lag, languish, run down, sag, slip, waste (away), weaken, wilt

Phrases Synonymous with deteriorate

go to pot, go to seed (or run to seed)

Near Antonyms of deteriorate

better, upgrade

enhance, enrich, fortify, heighten, intensify, strengthen

advance, develop, march, proceed, progress

Antonyms of deteriorate

ameliorate, improve, meliorate

2 to lower in character, dignity, or quality

childish name-calling that merely deteriorates what should be a serious discussion on an important issue

Synonyms of deteriorate

abase, bastardize, canker, cheapen, corrupt, debase, debauch, degrade, demean, demoralize, deprave, lessen, pervert, poison, profane, prostitute, subvert, vitiate, warp

Words Related to deteriorate

befoul, begrime, contaminate, defile, dilute, dirty, pollute, taint, thin, water down, weaken

disgrace, dishonor, humble, humiliate, shame, take down

blemish, damage, deface, destroy, flaw, harm, hurt, impair, mar, ruin, spoil, stain, tarnish, wreck

depreciate, downgrade

Near Antonyms of deteriorate

dignify, exalt, honor

ameliorate, amend, better, enhance, enrich, improve, meliorate, perfect

clarify, clean, cleanse, purify, refine, restore

Antonyms of deteriorate

elevate, ennoble, uplift