deterioration

Language: en

🇬🇧 /dɪˈtɪərɪəˌreɪʃən/ 🇺🇸 /dɪˈtɪriːɜrˌeɪʃən/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    The process of becoming progressively worse in quality, condition, or value over time.; The state or condition of having become worse; decline or degradation.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable / uncountable Plural: deteriorations

Collocations

deterioration indeterioration ofrapid deteriorationgradual deteriorationprogressive deteriorationfurther deteriorationprevent deterioration

Derivatives

deterioratedeteriorativedeteriorating

Synonyms

declinedegradationdecayworseningdegenerationerosion

Antonyms

improvementameliorationenhancement

Commonly confused

degeneration
EN: 'Degeneration' often implies a biological or moral decline to a lower state, while 'deterioration' is more general and neutral, referring to any worsening in condition or quality.
degradation
EN: 'Degradation' can carry connotations of loss of dignity or status, whereas 'deterioration' simply describes a decline in quality or condition without moral judgment.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember the sequence '-iora-' in the middle: 'deter-iora-tion'. A common error is omitting the 'i' or writing 'deteroration'.

💬 Examples

  1. The doctor was concerned about the rapid deterioration of the patient's health.

  2. The deterioration of the old bridge made it unsafe for heavy traffic.