Standard Lemma guide

decompensation

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /diːˌkɒmpɛnˈseɪʃən/

1

noun

Meaning 1

The inability of a diseased or weakened organic system or organ to compensate for its deficiency, resulting in functional deterioration.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: medicine, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The deterioration of cognitive or emotional functionality in a person who is distressed or who suffers from a psychological disorder.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: human-sciences, psychology, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *de Proto-Indo-European *-h1 Proto-Indo-European *déh1 Proto-Italic *dē Latin dē Latin dē-der. English de- English compensation English decompensation From de- + compensation.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 失代償 /失代偿 (shīdàicháng) — inability of an organ to compensate
  • Finnish: kompensoimaton vajaatoiminta — inability of an organ to compensate
  • Finnish: dekompensaatio — inability of an organ to compensate
  • French: décompensation — inability of an organ to compensate
  • Chinese Mandarin: 失代償 /失代偿 (shīdàicháng) — deterioration of functionality in a person
  • Finnish: dekompensaatio — deterioration of functionality in a person
  • French: décompensation — deterioration of functionality in a person