deteriorators

Things causing decline

Deteriorators are people or things that cause something to decline in quality, condition, or value.

The word is the agent noun form of deteriorate—whatever does the deteriorating: Moisture and sunlight are the main deteriorators of old photographs.

The term appears most often in technical or analytical contexts identifying causes of decay or degradation.

physical

corrosion

Chemical wearing away

oxidation · weathering · degradation · wear · abrasion · rot · mold · mildew · moisture · humidity

biological

pathogens

Disease-causing microorganisms

  • bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
  • fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
  • parasitesOrganisms feeding off hosts

pests · insects · termites · rodents · microbes · enzymes · decomposers · mold · algae · biofilm

systemic

inefficiency

Suboptimal use of resources

corruption · bureaucracy · dysfunction · stagnation · entropy · decline · atrophy · obsolescence · complacency · instability

health

stress

Pressure, mental or vocal

carcinogens · sedentariness · malnutrition · dehydration · smoking · alcohol · oxidants · cortisol · pathogens · allergens

relational

conflict

Opposition between parties

miscommunication · betrayal · toxicity · negativity · criticism · contempt · stonewalling · defensiveness · dishonesty · jealousy

Opposites
preservation vs. degradation

deterioratorspreservers

Things that maintain condition

maintainers · conservators · protectors · preservatives · conservers

improvement vs. decline

deterioratorsimprovers

Those who make better

restorers · enhancers · renovators · rebuilders · rejuvenators

Family

deteriorate, deterioration, deteriorated, deteriorating, deteriorates, deteriorations, undeteriorated, deteriorable

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Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G