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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degenerate
Matt Thompson, SPIN, 5 Nov. 2024
Or have his years in finance scrambled his brain and turned him into a degenerate gambler, both at the office and outside it?
—Zachary Siegel, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2024
Boris Fishman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
On The Challenge: Battle of the Eras, these now-geriatric degenerates will duke it out for the only prize worth fighting for: making their kids proud.
—Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2024
Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
On Saturday, after a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests degenerated into violence, the administration reacted as if the country were on the brink of war.
—David French, Mercury News, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for degenerate
Adjective
Ammon did appear tempted to talk the walk in Portland, to become the Mormon cowboy philosopher king wandering a degenerate realm of an ailing Republic, but by now time was in extremely short supply.
—Matt Thompson, SPIN, 5 Nov. 2024
Or have his years in finance scrambled his brain and turned him into a degenerate gambler, both at the office and outside it?
—Zachary Siegel, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2024
Noun
At another point, a surface-to-air missile takes out a passenger airliner, something that really happened — but the attack is as purposeless here as the tragic original event, other than to remind us that Valet, who surveys the wreckage for valuables, is a degenerate.
—Boris Fishman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
On The Challenge: Battle of the Eras, these now-geriatric degenerates will duke it out for the only prize worth fighting for: making their kids proud.
—Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2024
Verb
Trump has met with Zelenskyy twice, the first gathering degenerating into a very public browbeating of the Ukrainian leader in the Oval Office.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
On Saturday, after a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests degenerated into violence, the administration reacted as if the country were on the brink of war.
—David French, Mercury News, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for degenerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degenerate
Adjective
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And if tariffs only cause a one-time jump in prices, weaker purchasing power could slow the economy.—
Raul Elizalde,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Despite these efforts, economic conditions and weak demand for domestic leisure travel pose challenges.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But these are only the 'official' statistics released by corrupt City Officials.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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The Boys, a satirical drama about vigilantes who set out to take down corrupt superheroes, is gearing up for the release of its fifth and final season, expected sometime in 2026 on Prime Video.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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What follows is a floor-by-floor descent into madness as Bobby battles bloodthirsty perverts, demonic flash mobs, and hallucinogenic suburban nightmares, all while trying to figure out if he’s meant to be the hero… or just the last guy standing.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
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Special-guest pervert Frank (Sam Rockwell) showcases a monologue about his autogynephilia.—
Armond White,
National Review,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But after the Sriracha-maker callously withheld payments from Underwood, the relationship deteriorated and litigation followed.—
Kate Vitasek,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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But this week, the situation in Donetsk has rapidly deteriorated, with Russian forces making important advances to the north east of Dobropilia, altering control of the area Witkoff has been discussing with the Kremlin.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Smoke and particle pollution, primarily traced to wildfires burning in Canada, contributed to the degraded air quality, which officials said may persist until at least Thursday.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 July 2025
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On top of software setbacks, the OP said the vehicle's battery had to be replaced, but with a degraded unit that reduced range by 30 miles overnight.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
Verb
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The cybersecurity community has descended once again on Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas for Black Hat USA 2025—and the mood feels different this year.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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Video of the rescue shows authorities descending toward the rocky coastline with crashing waves as the rescuer secures both hikers before the helicopter lifts them into the air and takes them to safety.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Casa Memoria is a private oasis of refined Moorish architecture, botanical gardens, and quietly decadent living.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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As the night goes on and the party grows rowdier and more decadent, the duo is set on a collision course that will inevitably lead to a shocking conclusion.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Prater has a sick fascination with serial killers, collecting their trophies and even inviting the most notorious of them to gatherings at his mansion.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Today’s daily brief features the Texas governor ordering the arrest and expulsion of fleeing lawmakers, a video on the NYT weaponizing a sick toddler amid the starvation crisis in Gaza, and Israel is considering a plan to expand the war in Gaza.—
Armstrong Williams,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Degenerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degenerate. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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