Webster's English Dictionary

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deterioration

de.te.ri.o.ra.tion \di-.tir-e--*-'ra--sh*n\ n : the action or process of 
   deteriorating : the state of having deteriora ted mean the falling from a 
   higher to a lower level in quality, character, or vitality, DETERIORATION 
   implies impairment of vigor, resilience, or usefulness; DEGENERATION 
   stresses physical, intellectual, or esp. moral retrogression; DECADENCE 
   presupposes a reaching and passing the peak of development and implies a 
   turn downward with a consequent loss in vitality or energy; DECLINE differs 
   from DECADENCE in suggesting a more markedly downward direction and greater 
   momentum, more obvious evidence of deterioration, and less likelihood of a 
   return to earlier vigor or state of excellence SYN syn DETERIORATION, 
   DEGENERATION, DECADENCE, DECLINE