deteriorar

to deteriorate

verb deh-teh-ryoh-RAHR Rare

Origin: From Latin deteriorare, from deterior ('worse').

Usage Note

Deteriorar is transitive ('to damage, to worsen something') but is most often used reflexively: deteriorarse means 'to deteriorate, to get worse' and applies to health, relationships, materials, or situations. Learners should note the reflexive form is the default in natural speech: su salud se deterioró ('her health deteriorated'). The noun is deterioro ('deterioration, wear').

Examples

"La humedad ha deteriorado las paredes del edificio."

Natural Translation

The damp has deteriorated the walls of the building.

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