deteriorated
Declined in quality
Deteriorated describes something that has declined in quality, condition, or function over time.
A deteriorated building shows visible decay—crumbling walls, rotting wood.
Health can deteriorate, as can relationships, infrastructure, or mental states.
The word implies gradual worsening rather than sudden collapse: The patient's condition deteriorated overnight.
Years of neglect left the neighborhood badly deteriorated.
Declined in quality
- regressedReturned to earlier state
- degeneratedDeclined from better state
- slippedLost traction momentarily
- backslidReverted to bad habits
relapsed · degraded · slumped · sank · collapsed · dwindled · ebbed · plummeted
Ruined through neglect
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
- rundownQuick overview of facts
- shabbyWorn and neglected
- wornDamaged by use
tattered · frayed · battered · faded · neglected · disrepair · ramshackle · decrepit
Weak and breakable
- enfeebledMade weak or feeble
- debilitatedMade weak or infirm
- diminishedMade or became smaller
- sappedDepleted of vitality
fatigued · fragile · feeble · infirm · failing · faltering · flagging · languishing
Organic breakdown process
- decomposeBreak into simpler parts
- putrefyDecompose with stench
- spoilDamage or overindulge
- festerDecay or seethe inside
molder · mildew · compost · perish · biodegrade · disintegrate · breakdown · degradation
Eroded by exposure
- abradedWorn away by rubbing
- wornDamaged by use
- scouredCleaned by hard rubbing
- corrodedEaten away chemically
pitted · etched · sandblasted · grooved · stripped · thinned · hollowed · undercut
worsened
Declined in quality
- regressedReturned to earlier state
- degeneratedDeclined from better state
- slippedLost traction momentarily
backslid · relapsed · degraded · slumped · sank · collapsed · dwindled · ebbed · plummeted · nosedived
dilapidated
Ruined through neglect
worn · tattered · frayed · battered · faded · neglected · disrepair · ramshackle · decrepit · rickety
frail
Weak and breakable
- enfeebledMade weak or feeble
- debilitatedMade weak or infirm
- diminishedMade or became smaller
sapped · fatigued · fragile · feeble · infirm · failing · faltering · flagging · languishing · waning
rot
Organic breakdown process
fester · molder · mildew · compost · perish · biodegrade · disintegrate · breakdown · degradation · rancid
weathered
Eroded by exposure
corroded · pitted · etched · sandblasted · grooved · stripped · thinned · hollowed · undercut · washed-out
antiquated
Old and outdated
time-worn · old · weathered · vintage · dated · outmoded · superannuated · anachronistic · stale · expired
- damageddamaged, broken, wrecked, ruined, destroyed
- structural conditionsintact, damaged, compromised, sound, unsound
- nautical termsahoy, afloat, aye aye, aye-aye, becalmed
- diminisheddevalued, lessened, decreased, depreciated, reduced
- exhaustedtired, weary, exhausted, drained, fatigued
- fell apartcrumbled, shattered, collapsed, disintegrated, broke down
deterioratedimproved
Made superior to before
enhanced · ameliorated · upgraded · bettered · strengthened
deteriorate, deterioration, deteriorating, deteriorates, deteriorations