# deteriorating

/dɪˈtɪɹiɝˌeɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /dɪtˈiəɹiəɹˌeɪtɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/deteriorating
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. getting worse

adjective · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: undergoing a progressive decline in condition, quality, or functional capacity.

- The doctor was worried about the patient's deteriorating health over the weekend.
- The city council struggled to fund repairs for the deteriorating infrastructure, which had suffered from decades of neglect and harsh weather.

## Examples

- The weather is deteriorating quickly.
- Doctors are monitoring the patient closely because his breathing is deteriorating despite the new medication.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.