Deterioration, n.
Etymology: [LL. deterioratio: cf. F. détérioration.]
The process of growing worse, or the state of having grown worse.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for deterioration; he lists it under alloy.
Where he writes about it:
Adulteration, debasement, and deterioration are always used in the bad sense; admixture is neutral, and may be good or bad; alloy is commonly good in the literal sense. — from alloy
Antonyms
none given