deteriorate

/dɪˈtɪə.ri.ə.reɪt/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪtˈɪriɚˌet] /dɪˈtɪr.i.ə.reɪt/ (ame, ipa) · [dɪtˈɪriɚˌet] /di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt dē-/ (ame, mw)

deteriorate — verb

  • deterioratepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • deteriorateshe / she / it
  • deterioratedpast simple
  • deteriorating-ing form

1. to become gradually worse in quality, health, or condition, instead of remaining

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to become gradually worse in quality, health, or condition, instead of remaining the same or improving. The verb can also mean causing this decline to happen.

例句

The patient's health deteriorated rapidly after the infection spread to his lungs.

intransitive: gradual decline of health

Years of neglect had deteriorated the old bridge until it was unsafe to cross.

transitive: neglect deteriorates something

同義詞
  • worsen

    more direct and slightly less formal; can describe sudden as well as gradual change

  • decline

    emphasises a gradual loss of quality or strength, often over a long period

  • degenerate

    more negative connotation, often implying moral or social decay

反義詞
  • improve

    general opposite; can apply to health, quality, conditions, or skills

  • strengthen

    opposite in contexts of physical or structural decline

文法句型

something deteriorates (intransitive)

deteriorate something (transitive)

用法筆記

Often describes a gradual or ongoing process rather than a sudden event. The intransitive form (something deteriorates) is more common than the transitive form (deteriorate something).

常見錯誤

❌The food deteriorated in the fridge overnight.
✅The food went bad in the fridge overnight.
💡'Deteriorate' describes a longer-term or more serious decline, not everyday spoilage.
❌His mood deteriorated when he heard the news.
✅His mood worsened when he heard the news.
💡For short-term changes in emotion or mood, 'worsen' or 'get worse' is more natural than 'deteriorate.'