DETERIORATION

[de.te.ri.o.ra.tion] n (ca. 1658): the action or process of deteriorating: the state of having deteriorated syn deterioration, degeneration, decadence, decline mean the falling from a higher to a lower level in quality, character, or vitality. deterioration implies generally the impairment of value or usefulness "the deterioration of the house through neglect". degeneration stresses physical, intellectual, or esp. moral retrogression "the degeneration of their youthful idealism into cynicism". decadence presupposes a reaching and passing the peak of development and implies a turn downward with a consequent loss in vitality or energy "cited love of luxury as a sign of cultural decadence". decline differs from decadence in suggesting a more markedly downward direction and greater momentum as well as more obvious evidence of deterioration "the meteoric decline of his career after the scandal".