1
as in weak
having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit
a degenerate society in which people had no sense of being citizens, only consumers
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2
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards
a movie about a gang of degenerate drug dealers
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as in pervert
a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard
a degenerate who is uninterested in anything but his own gratification
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as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
over the years the community-minded organization degenerated into a club for loafers
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Examples of degenerate in a Sentence
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Recent Examples on the Web
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 July 2023
Not surprisingly, director and co-writer Gene Stupnitsky wrote that Cameron Diaz movie, which gave us a similar gloriously degenerate heroine who eventually mellows out, matures, etc.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2023
Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 21 July 2023
Naked Hunter Biden is a joke, a degenerate, a walking embodiment of squick.
—Monica Hesse, Washington Post, 21 July 2023
Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Nvidia the stock, meanwhile, has become a meme around which the get-rich-quick dreams of degenerate gamblers are increasingly coalescing.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for degenerate 
Adjective
But in a degenerate gas, the electrons do fill up all the energy levels, and this results in an outward-pressing force to halt the star's collapse.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 July 2023
Not surprisingly, director and co-writer Gene Stupnitsky wrote that Cameron Diaz movie, which gave us a similar gloriously degenerate heroine who eventually mellows out, matures, etc.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2023
Noun
Mom's dead, dad's not in the picture; her last boyfriend (Ethan Jones Ramirez) was a violent degenerate.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 21 July 2023
Naked Hunter Biden is a joke, a degenerate, a walking embodiment of squick.
—Monica Hesse, Washington Post, 21 July 2023
Verb
The two compelling actors play herders struggling to get by in the muddy hills of west Ireland, where a longtime feud between their families degenerates into an all-out dogfight (or is that a sheep-fight?).
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Nvidia the stock, meanwhile, has become a meme around which the get-rich-quick dreams of degenerate gamblers are increasingly coalescing.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for degenerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degenerate
Adjective
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Hasbro is still feeling the impact of a weak 2023 that led to excess inventory and closeouts, as well as growing pains related to its plan to right-size its business and shed less profitable toys and business segments.Joan Verdon, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
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Beijing can mitigate this with more stimulus, export controls and a weaker currency, although these steps carry risks such as capital flight, debt and further trade conflict.David Kirton, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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But with more than 65 percent of respondents reporting fear of corrupt government officials this year, political fears appear to have gotten worse.Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024
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How have the themes of climate change, technological misuse, and corrupt bureaucracies evolved since then?Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Five states and Washington, D.C. have referendums next month that could profoundly change—and pervert—the way each conducts elections.Steve Forbes, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
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The moral of this story is simple: The Russian prison system, the Federal Penitentiary Service, is run by a collection of perverts.Alexei Navalny, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Ever since his wife passed away a few years ago, his relationship with his daughter Erika has deteriorated.Leo Barraclough, Variety, 24 Oct. 2024
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As credit markets deteriorate, Bitcoin transforms from a speculative asset into a defensive, strategic holding.Ansel Lindner, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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At the same time, there is growing concern about the health and environmental consequences of microplastics — the bits of degraded plastic that slough off as the product ages, or is used, or washed.Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
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More:Milwaukee is turning around one of the most degraded sites in the Great Lakes.Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
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His attackers descended on him, hammering his face, kicking and stomping him.Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 30 Oct. 2024
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Thousands of people will descend on downtown Indianapolis for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concerts Nov. 1-3, but not all of them will actually be at the concert.Bradley Hohulin, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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When your next potluck or bring-a-dish dinner rolls around, make this decadent potato side dish.Shelli McConnell, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Oct. 2024
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Those who prefer a simple cup of coffee may appreciate black coffee without sweeteners, while those searching for a decadent beverage may opt for a more adventurous cappuccino.Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, Health, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Of the people interviewed by the CDC who fell ill, most reported eating the Quarter Pounder hamburger at McDonald's before becoming sick.Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2024
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Rest assured, most babies who get sick with RSV will be okay.Korin Miller, SELF, 30 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near degenerate
Cite this Entry
“Degenerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degenerate. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.
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