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de·te·ri·o·rate
 deteriorate
- pronunciation:
- dih
ti
ri
reIt
| part of speech: |
transitive verb & intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
deteriorated, deteriorates, deteriorating |
| definition 1: |
to make or become inferior in value or quality; debase.
Eating poorly has deteriorated her health.Since she started smoking, her health has deteriorated.- antonyms:
- ameliorate, improve, restore
- similar words:
- debase, decline, ruin, slip, suffer, wear
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| definition 2: |
to erode; wear away.
Rust deteriorates metal and weakens it.The paint on all the shutters has deteriorated.- similar words:
- corrode, eat, molder, rot
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| related words: |
adulterate, age, corrode, decay, decompose, depress, fade, fail, lose, perish, shrivel, slump, wane, waste, wear, wilt |
| derivation: |
deterioration (n.) |
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