de
te
rio
rate
Third Person
deteriorates
Present Participle
deteriorating
Past Tense
deteriorated
Past Participle
deteriorated
1
to decline in quality, condition, or overall state
- If left untreated, metal exposed to harsh weather can deteriorate over time.
- Neglecting regular maintenance can cause a car's performance to deteriorate.
- The health of plants may deteriorate if not provided with proper care.
- Relationships can deteriorate if communication and understanding break down.
- Continuous exposure to sunlight can cause colors to fade and materials to deteriorate.
2
to make worse
transitive
- The harsh weather conditions deteriorated the roads, causing potholes and cracks to form.
- Continuous exposure to sunlight can deteriorate the quality of certain fabrics.
- Neglecting regular maintenance can deteriorate the condition of machinery and equipment.
- The use of harsh chemicals can deteriorate the surface of some types of countertops.
- Lack of proper care can deteriorate the condition of wooden furniture, causing it to warp and splinter.
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Antonyms: