deterioration
Slow falling apart
Deterioration is the process of becoming worse or declining in quality, condition, or value.
Physical things deteriorate: deterioration of the building's foundation, deterioration of eyesight with age.
Abstract things do too: deterioration of relations between the two countries, mental deterioration.
The word implies gradual decline rather than sudden collapse.
Decrease or refuse
- depreciationAsset value reduction over time
- devaluationLowering of currency worth
- downturnEconomic decline period
- recessionProlonged economic decline
slump · contraction · deflation · drop · fall · erosion · weakening · stagnation
Harm or impairment
- failureLack of success
- collapseSudden structural failure
- disrepairPoor maintained condition
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
cracking · subsidence · instability · weakening · fracture · fissure · settling · spalling
Decrease or refuse
- worseningBecoming more severe
- atrophyWasting from disuse
- wastingUsing poorly, inefficiently
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
debilitation · weakening · regression · frailty · cachexia · emaciation · impairment · dysfunction
Gradual organic breakdown
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- corrosionChemical wearing away
- rustIron oxide coating
oxidation · erosion · wear · degradation · crumbling · disintegration · weathering · tarnish
Failure or decomposition
- erosionGradual wearing away
- strainExcessive stretching force
- discordLack of agreement
- estrangementEmotional separation between people
rift · dysfunction · conflict · distrust · alienation · hostility · rupture · souring
decline
Decrease or refuse
- depreciationAsset value reduction over time
- devaluationLowering of currency worth
- downturnEconomic decline period
recession · slump · contraction · deflation · drop · fall · erosion · weakening · stagnation · collapse
damage
Harm or impairment
crumbling · cracking · subsidence · instability · weakening · fracture · fissure · settling · spalling · buckling
decline
Decrease or refuse
degeneration · debilitation · weakening · regression · frailty · cachexia · emaciation · impairment · dysfunction · infirmity
decay
Gradual organic breakdown
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- corrosionChemical wearing away
rust · oxidation · erosion · wear · degradation · crumbling · disintegration · weathering · tarnish · pitting
breakdown
Failure or decomposition
estrangement · rift · dysfunction · conflict · distrust · alienation · hostility · rupture · souring · cooling
- mural conservationwall painting, wall paintings, consolidation, stabilization, inpainting
- illnessdisease, sickness, illness, ailment, disorder
- damagebreakage, break, crack, fracture, dent
- decayrot, decay rate, wilt, crumble, decomposition
- declinedecline, in decline, decrease, downswing, on the decline
- declinesdrop, decline, downtrend, downturn, downfall
deteriorationimprovement
Positive change in quality
betterment · amelioration · progress · enhancement · advancement
deteriorationstrengthening
Increasing power or solidity
reinforcement · fortification · construction · repair · reconstruction
deteriorationrecovery
Regaining what was lost
recuperation · healing · rally · convalescence · rejuvenation