deteriorating
/dɪˈtɪə.ri.ə.reɪt/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪtˈɪriɚˌetɪŋ] /dɪˈtɪr.i.ə.reɪt/ (ame, ipa) · [dɪtˈɪriɚˌetɪŋ] /di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt dē-/ (ame, mw)
deteriorating — verb
- deterioratingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- deterioratings3rd person singular
- deterioratinging-ing form
- deterioratingedpast simple
1. to become gradually worse in quality, condition, or strength — for instance, a d
to become gradually worse in quality, condition, or strength — for instance, a deteriorating building may have broken windows, leaking roofs, and crumbling walls.
After months without rain, the drinking water in Adina's village began to deteriorate.
begin to deteriorate — start + to-infinitive
The old factory's roof deteriorated during years of storms and neglect.
Reuben's grandfather had to move out of his house because its condition was deteriorating fast.
The relationship between the two neighbouring countries has deteriorated sharply since the border dispute.
Doctors warned that without treatment, Hana's eyesight would continue to deteriorate.
- worsen
more general and can be used in both everyday and formal contexts; can be transitive ('worsen the situation') unlike deteriorate
- decline
suggests a steady downward movement over time, especially in health, standards, or numbers
- degenerate
more negative, often implying moral or ethical decay rather than physical condition
- improve
general opposite; becoming better instead of worse
- strengthen
opposite when talking about condition, health, or quality becoming stronger
文法句型
deteriorate + adverb of degree
deteriorate into + noun phrase
用法筆記
Commonly used with adverbs of degree (rapidly, sharply, gradually, steadily) and the pattern deteriorate into + noun meaning 'become even worse and turn into a completely bad state'. More formal than get worse.