degenerate 1 of 3

degenerate

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noun

degenerate

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective degenerate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of degenerate are corrupt, iniquitous, nefarious, vicious, and villainous. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

When would corrupt be a good substitute for degenerate?

While the synonyms corrupt and degenerate are close in meaning, corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

When is iniquitous a more appropriate choice than degenerate?

The synonyms iniquitous and degenerate are sometimes interchangeable, but iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

Where would nefarious be a reasonable alternative to degenerate?

The words nefarious and degenerate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

In what contexts can vicious take the place of degenerate?

In some situations, the words vicious and degenerate are roughly equivalent. However, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

When could villainous be used to replace degenerate?

The meanings of villainous and degenerate largely overlap; however, villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of degenerate
Adjective
Embodying nepotistic rot is Derek Danforth (played convincingly by Josh Hutcherson), the degenerate son of a prominent politician. Giancarlo Sopo, National Review, 13 Jan. 2024 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
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
  • Other checks on Trump’s policy will also be far weaker.
    Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Each endpoint can be assessed to sniff out weak points.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Others, such as Sri Lanka, have oscillated back and forth, with more democratic presidents and corrupt populist autocrats alternating as leaders.
    Larry Diamond, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Activists began showing up at election-board meetings with signs calling Lindsey corrupt.
    Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The interplay between pervert audience and chastising host is a delicate dance, as old as time.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2024
  • 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
Verb
  • After all, fast-changing technology has been one of the drivers of deteriorating trust.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
  • But the recommendations were not followed, and the property continued to deteriorate.
    Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • According to Regeneration International, regenerative agriculture describes farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity - resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle.
    Tom Hyland, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
  • Flourishing business and secure workers would keep the Sabbath, dress neatly, and avoid taverns and other dens of iniquity that preyed on the degraded poor.
    Bruce J. Schulman / Made by History, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Soon, the full blue-black shades of night descended.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 10 Nov. 2024
  • And after the chaos Washington descended into following the 2020 election, analysts might be prudent to assume Trump wouldn’t take another loss without an intense battle.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Get The Recipe 15 of 25 Butter Pecan Cheesecake Take a break from the usual pecan pie, with this decadent cheesecake topped with a nutty, caramel-like topping.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel When election night calls for a little indulgence, this Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel cocktail delivers a decadent treat.
    Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • All but one of those patients had been exposed to sick cattle or poultry on farms.
    Erika Edwards, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • There is no cure for a sick heart, definitely not in Ferrante’s universe, where desire burns down to an ember that lingers, waiting to be fanned and catch fire.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near degenerate

Cite this Entry

“Degenerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degenerate. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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