deterioration

[ dih-teer-ee-uh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of deteriorating.
2. the state or condition of having deteriorated.
3. a gradual decline, as in quality, serviceability, or vigor.

Other Words From

• nonde·teri·o·ration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deterioration¹

1650–60; < Late Latin dēteriōrātiōn- (stem of dēteriōrātiō ), equivalent to dēteriōrāt ( us ) ( deteriorate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Part of how a doctor makes the diagnosis is by showing the deterioration from Trump's higher level of functioning to his deterioration across other areas such as his ability to use language, speak and communicate.

From Salon

The Lifetime docuseries “Where Is Wendy Williams?” chronicles her cognitive deterioration with “radical honesty,” the series’ executive producer Mark Ford told The Times in February.

From Los Angeles Times

But a National Audit Office report last year said funding levels in England had contributed to the "deterioration" of the wider school estate.

From BBC

First Pakistan employed a recycled pitch to level the series in Multan, now they have used unorthodox methods to hasten the deterioration of the surface in Rawalpindi.

From BBC

“Getting 100 cycles out and not seeing any deterioration suggests you can get thousands of cycles,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• decline
• degradation
• depreciation
• devaluation
• disintegration
• dislocation
• downturn
• slump
• worsening