1
as in degradation
a change to a lower state or level
the sad degeneracy of the old neighborhood into a slum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in corruption
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
the degeneracy of the family into a gang of petty thieves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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 degeneracy
But the shadow of degeneracy still looms large.
—
WIRED, 21 Feb. 2023
In effect, compounding interest (historically low for the past decade but lately headed upwards) must outrun the costs of taxation (declining globally), procreation (declining in wealthier countries), and the loafing and degeneracy that attend the inheritance of great fortunes.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 14 Sep. 2022
The stories she’s heard — of cruelty and degeneracy, bravery and ingenuity — stagger the imagination.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2022
The action, by more than half the Republican members of the House and almost a quarter of GOP senators, may rank among the most cynically contrived, morally contemptible, soul-corrupting acts of political degeneracy ever attempted.
—Gerard Baker, WSJ, 4 Jan. 2021
See all Example Sentences for degeneracy 
WIRED, 21 Feb. 2023
In effect, compounding interest (historically low for the past decade but lately headed upwards) must outrun the costs of taxation (declining globally), procreation (declining in wealthier countries), and the loafing and degeneracy that attend the inheritance of great fortunes.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 14 Sep. 2022
The stories she’s heard — of cruelty and degeneracy, bravery and ingenuity — stagger the imagination.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2022
The action, by more than half the Republican members of the House and almost a quarter of GOP senators, may rank among the most cynically contrived, morally contemptible, soul-corrupting acts of political degeneracy ever attempted.
—Gerard Baker, WSJ, 4 Jan. 2021
See all Example Sentences for degeneracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degeneracy
Noun
-
Yet the devastation that Israel inflicted on Hezbollah last year, the general degradation of Iran’s militia network, and the failure of Tehran’s strategy of using Arab fighters as a forward defense against Israel and the U.S. were decisive.—
Hussein Ibish,
The Atlantic,
19 Jan. 2025
-
Users could still watch and download videos, but over time, this lack of updates could cause significant degradation of the app’s performance.—
Cherie Brooke Luo,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Although Russia has struggled to embrace startup culture, the big contractors have a stranglehold on the supply process; corruption is endemic, and the military know who to buy from.—
David Hambling,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
-
The council has been target of calls for a reconfiguration following its lack of action on the corruption allegations, dissatisfaction with many of its decisions and the escalating gang violence.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Based on the deterioration of the relationship, a trade — as soon as possible — would appear the preferred alternative, particularly with this latest two-game suspension to otherwise put Butler back in play for the Heat as soon as Monday night’s game against the Orlando Magic at Kaseya Center.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2025
-
For women, especially, working could, therefore, be dangerous for them physically and could lead to the deterioration of their health: a result that could adversely affect their roles as mothers and their subsequent responsibility to raise future generations, especially boys.—
Eva Epker,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Red and declinations to rust and burgundy at Ferragamo and Bottega Veneta.—
WWD,
WWD,
3 Sep. 2019
-
Thomas said the sheriff's office presented the case to the district attorney's office for declination purposes only because of Suff's prior convictions and death sentence.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC News,
15 Aug. 2024
Noun
-
The statistics are alarming: teen mental health has plummeted since the widespread adoption of social media, with a particularly sharp decline following the pandemic’s surge in screen time.—
Raj Goyle,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2025
-
That’s all the more important for Champagne producers, as the sector has taken a nosedive in the past few years: Shipments fell 9.2 percent last year, and companies such a Mumm posted double-digit declines in sales during the most recent fiscal year.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The 14th Amendment was enacted as a direct response to the Supreme Court’s egregious 1857 Dred Scott decision, which held that persons of African descent, such as enslaved people and formerly enslaved people, could not be considered citizens under the Constitution.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Vice President Kamala Harris, though not a first lady, used her 2021 inaugural outfit to acknowledge her historic role as the first woman, the first Black person and first person of Asian descent to hold the office.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Baggy bombers were spotted on the runway at Saint Laurent’s spring 2025 fashion show, which clearly nodded to the decade of decadence, while boho styles — including Penny Lane coats — have seen a major resurgence in the past year.—
Hannah Malach,
WWD,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Family and other guests sat at tables in golden chairs and took it all in, as the chandelier ceiling dripped with decadence.—
Kristen Bateman,
Vogue,
1 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near degeneracy
Cite this Entry
“Degeneracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degeneracy. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share