Break
Break verb - To reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of.
Usage example: I broke a tooth on the hard candy
Deteriorate and break are semantically related In some cases you can use "Deteriorate" instead a verb "Break".
Deteriorate
Deteriorate verb - To become worse or of less value.
Break and deteriorate are semantically related in decay topic. Sometimes you can use "Break" instead a verb "Deteriorate".
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
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Ammo is very scarce and expensive, guns deteriorate and break very quickly, so most of the times you will whack stuff with your trusty little wrench just to save that precious ammo for when you really, really need it.
Source: Video Game / System Shock - Though, wait a second, wouldn't the key break down over time and deteriorate until it eventually snaps in the lock as Cortez uses it?
Source: You Already Changed the Past
Cite this Source
Deteriorate and Break. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 12, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/break/deteriorate
Break & Deteriorate. N.p., 2016. Web. 12 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/break/deteriorate>.
Deteriorate or Break. 2016. Accessed August 12, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/break/deteriorate.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "break" and "deteriorate" have occurred on timeline