deterioration

C2+ Topic:Cause, Change & Process

US /dɪˌtɪriəˈreɪʃən/ UK /dɪˌtɪəriəˈreɪʃən/ See IPA manual

noun

Meanings

1

noun
the process of becoming progressively worse

Doctors noted a rapid deterioration in his condition.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the process of becoming... decline degradation worsening decay degeneration debasement ebbing

Opposites

improvement amelioration enhancement recovery

Word family

Related forms deterioratedeteriorative

Etymology

From Late Latin deterioratio, from deteriorare ('to make worse'), from Latin deterior ('worse, lower'), a comparative of de- ('down, away').

deteriorare Latin deterior Latin

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Topics

Cause, Change & Process Word Formation & Derivatives

# deterioration

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** dɪˌtɪriəˈreɪʃən
**IPA (UK):** dɪˌtɪəriəˈreɪʃən

## Meanings
1. the process of becoming progressively worse

## Examples
- Doctors noted a rapid deterioration in his condition.

## Synonyms
- decline
- degradation
- worsening
- decay
- degeneration
- debasement
- ebbing

## Antonyms
- improvement
- amelioration
- enhancement
- recovery

## Related Forms
- deteriorate
- deteriorative

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: deteriorare
- Root: deterior

## Etymology
From Late Latin deterioratio, from deteriorare ('to make worse'), from Latin deterior ('worse, lower'), a comparative of de- ('down, away').

## AI Etymology
Deterioration comes from Late Latin deterioratio, from deteriorare ('to make worse'), from Latin deterior ('worse, lower'), a comparative of de- ('down, away'). The historical trail runs through Latin deteriorare and Latin deterior. In modern use it means the process of becoming progressively worse. Related forms include deteriorate, deteriorative.

## Topics
- Cause, Change & Process
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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