Words / B2

di-TEERR-ee-uh-rayt/dɪˈtɪəriəreɪt/

To deteriorate is to become worse: health deteriorated, relations deteriorated. Get worse is everyday; worsen is a close cousin. Deterioration is the noun. In speech, get worse is enough. The word is slightly formal, common in news and medicine. Do not use deteriorate for a single bad day unless a decline is underway, and do not confuse it with detonate (explode).

Meaning

To become worse in condition or quality.

Examples

• “Her health deteriorated after the accident.”
• “Air quality deteriorated when the wind dropped and the traffic did not.”
• “The truce deteriorated into sniping in the local paper, then into a walkout.”

Good to know

Become worse. Everyday: get worse. Noun: deterioration. Close: worsen. Formal/news/medical. Mix-up: detonate (explode).

Near in meaning

worsen

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