ENGLISH
REFERENCE

deteriorating

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //dɪˈtɪɹiɝˌeɪtɪŋ// UK //dɪtˈiəɹiəɹˌeɪtɪŋ// de·te·ri·o·rat·ing

adj. becoming worse in quality, health, or strength over time.

adj. becoming progressively worse in quality, state, or condition. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be' or 'seem', or attributively to describe a declining situation.


SIMPLE

The weather is deteriorating quickly.

CONTEXTUAL

Doctors are monitoring the patient closely because his breathing is deteriorating despite the new medication.

COMPLEX

The deteriorating condition of the historic bridge forced the city council to close it to all heavy traffic until major structural repairs could be completed.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Participial adjective — often follows 'be', 'become', or 'seem'.

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