deterioration

American  

[dih-teer-ee-uh-rey-shuhn] / dɪˌtɪər i əˈreɪ ʃən /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• nondeterioration noun

Etymology

Origin of deterioration

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

Explanation

If something is in a state of deterioration, it's getting worse. A crumbling old house with a caved-in roof and foot-tall weeds growing through the deck is going through deterioration. Deterioration implies that things are falling apart: something once in good condition is now weakened, worn out, or otherwise in decline. Things often undergo deterioration because of neglect. Time also has a lot to do with deterioration. Museum curators are always worried about stopping the deterioration of their prized antiquities, like the ancient Egyptian mummies that should not be exposed to air.

Example Sentences

After years of steady deterioration, there are early signs entry-level hiring is picking up.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

The report laid out a doom-loop scenario of AI improvements wiping out white-collar employment and driving economic deterioration.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

Kayan suffered a significant deterioration in his kidney function, and although it has now recovered slightly, he may need a transplant in future.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

In the firm’s view, a further deterioration could lead to stricter credit conditions for small and medium-sized businesses.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

However, by all indications, my own mental deterioration will be quite rapid.

From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes

Related Words

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