deteriorate
Translation
to deteriorate, to worsen, to decline
Examples
Her health began to deteriorate.
Her health began to deteriorate.
The old building is deteriorating quickly.
The old building is deteriorating quickly.
Relations between the countries have deteriorated.
Relations between the countries have deteriorated.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to get worse Her health began to deteriorate.
Similar Words
Synonyms: worsen, decline, degenerate; Antonyms: improve, ameliorate
Etymology
From Latin 'deterior' meaning 'worse'. The prefix 'de-' means 'down' and 'terior' is a comparative suffix, so 'to make worse'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'de-' as 'down'. When something deteriorates, its condition goes down.