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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun deterioration differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deterioration are decadence, decline, and degeneration. While all these words mean "the falling from a higher to a lower level in quality, character, or vitality," deterioration implies generally the impairment of value or usefulness.

the deterioration of the house through neglect

When can decadence be used instead of deterioration?

In some situations, the words decadence and deterioration are roughly equivalent. However, decadence presupposes a reaching and passing the peak of development and implies a turn downward with a consequent loss in vitality or energy.

cited love of luxury as a sign of cultural decadence

How do decline and decadence relate to one another, in the sense of deterioration?

Decline differs from decadence in suggesting a more markedly downward direction and greater momentum as well as more obvious evidence of deterioration.

the meteoric decline of his career after the scandal

When could degeneration be used to replace deterioration?

The words degeneration and deterioration are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, degeneration stresses physical, intellectual, or especially moral retrogression.

the degeneration of their youthful idealism into cynicism

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deterioration The sharp deterioration in the strategic environment around Japan in recent years has further raised the importance to Tokyo of the U.S.-Japan security alliance. Robert Ward, NPR, 27 May 2025 But the deterioration of the country’s political culture is striking — and alarming. Peter Baker Hari Kumar Brooks Barnes Jonathan Sumption, New York Times, 26 May 2025 Sulzberger writes passionately about the existential threats facing a free press, from economic collapse to political intimidation, and how journalism must stand as a bulwark in a time of profound civic deterioration. Jessica Sibley, Time, 19 May 2025 On modern iPhones, Apple has a feature called Charge Limit that works as an opt-in feature limiting your phone to 80% charge to help reduce the deterioration of the battery. James Peckham, PC Magazine, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for deterioration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterioration
Noun
  • Violence, corruption and environmental degradation have saturated the avocado trade there, causing the U.S. to briefly stop imports and senators to agitate for action by the federal government.
    Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
  • These trade shifts are causing environmental degradation.
    Simi Thambi​, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Teeth grinding can also cause more cavities to occur as grinding teeth together strips them of some of the protective enamel that could otherwise prevent tooth decay.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • All water has some fluoride, but many cities and counties in the state add more to help prevent tooth decay.
    Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Some of the nation’s leading tourist destinations, including Orlando, Miami and Los Angeles, are bracing for how the decline will impact businesses that rely on spending from international travelers.
    Jason Carroll, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
  • Russell Reynolds' Global CEO Turnover Index reports that the average CEO tenure dropped from 8.1 years in Q1 2024 to 6.8 years in Q1 2025, marking the sharpest decline in recent years.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • Where corporate criminal investigations resolve without filing any criminal charges (through a declination or deferred prosecution agreement), companies should expect victims to still voice their views loudly to the Justice Department and beyond.
    Lisa Zornberg, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • The changing declination also defines the daily arc that the sun takes across the sky, thereby accounting for the length of daylight.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deterioration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterioration. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on deterioration

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