1 : to make inferior in quality or value : impair Exposure to sunlight may deteriorate the paint. 2 : disintegrate.
intransitive verb
: not transitive especially : characterized by not having or containing a direct object an intransitive verb.
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Can deteriorate be used as a verb?
verb (used with or without object), de·te·ri·o·rat·ed, de·te·ri·o·rat·ing. to make or become worse or inferior in character, quality, value, etc. to disintegrate or wear away.
How do you use the word deteriorate?
grow worse.
- Leather can deteriorate in damp conditions.
- His health began to deteriorate quite seriously.
- Food is apt to deteriorate in summer.
- We could see his health deteriorate week by week.
- His hearing began to deteriorate.
- There are fears that the situation might deteriorate into full-scale war.