“One cause of deterioration” crossword clue

Reveal the answer to see why it works and where this clue has appeared before.USE is the answer to the New York Times crossword clue “One cause of deterioration”. It was last seen in the puzzle of April 2, 2026, where it runs at 35 Across and fills 3 squares. It crosses 3 other entries in that grid — those are listed below and are the quickest way to confirm the letters you already have.