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 ) ( deteriorate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

In Meta’s case, the firm expects “healthy” revenue above consensus estimates and second-quarter guidance that likely brackets consensus, assuming no further deterioration in the macroeconomic environment.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Instead, they have signaled the Fed is likely to leave rates where they are until either the labor market shows signs of outright deterioration or inflation declines.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

While pockets of stress are emerging within private credit, the issues appear isolated rather than indicative of widespread deterioration in lending standards or balance-sheet quality.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

"If we do the right thing early in the illness, and support people with the right level of pacing, you can prevent that deterioration in a lot of cases."

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

We have lost the innocence of it, of those days before we knew the extent of the aunts’ rage, before Gran’s death and Granddad’s deterioration.

From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart

Related Words

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