Deteriorate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deteriorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Deteriorating.]
Etymology: [L. deterioratus, p. p. of deteriorate to deteriorate, fr. deterior worse, prob. a comparative fr. de down, away.]
To make worse; to make inferior in quality or value; to impair; as, to deteriorate the mind. Whately. The art of war . . . was greatly deteriorated. Southey.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Deteriorate, v. i.
To grow worse; to be impaired in quality; to degenerate. Under such conditions, the mind rapidly deteriorates. Goldsmith.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists deteriorate only as an antonym, under amend.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given