deterioration C2+ Topic:Cause, Change & Process US /dɪˌtɪriəˈreɪʃən/ UK /dɪˌtɪəriəˈreɪʃən/ See IPA manual 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... declinedegradationworseningdecaydegenerationdebasementebbing ↔ Opposites improvementameliorationenhancementrecovery Word family Related forms deterioratedeteriorative Etymology AI details From Late Latin deterioratio, from deteriorare ('to make worse'), from Latin deterior ('worse, lower'), a comparative of de- ('down, away'). deteriorare Latin deterior Latin View etymology graph -> Topics Cause, Change & Process Word Formation & Derivatives External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # 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 markdown