Synonyms of degenerate

degenerate 1 of 3

adjective

di-ˈjen-rət 

1

as in weak

having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit

a degenerate society in which people had no sense of being citizens, only consumers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weak
• decayed
• degraded
• decadent
• effete
• overripe
• weakened
• washed-up
• feeble
• failing
• dying
• decaying
• soft
• dissolute
• declining
• immoral
• precious
• wasted
• depraved
• debilitated
• enfeebled
• debased
• debauched
• waning
• frail
• languid
• wimpy
• demoralized
• dissipated
• enervated
• overrefined
• enervate
• sapped

2

as in corrupt

having or showing lowered moral character or standards

a movie about a gang of degenerate drug dealers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• corrupt
• degraded
• sick
• depraved
• decadent
• dissolute
• perverted
• crooked
• loose
• debased
• debauched
• warped
• demoralized
• unclean
• libertine
• vicious
• unwholesome
• perverse
• spoiled
• dissipated
• dishonest
• rakish
• reprobate
• immoral
• evil
• wicked
• bad
• unprincipled
• unscrupulous
• rakehell
• jackleg
• contaminated
• bent
• unethical
• cutthroat
• sinful
• tainted
• iniquitous
• nefarious
• miscreant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pure
• uncorrupted
• incorruptible
• uncorrupt
• ethical
• moral
• honest
• good
• virtuous
• principled
• righteous

degenerate

2 of 3

noun

di-ˈjen-rət 

as in pervert

a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard

a degenerate who is uninterested in anything but his own gratification

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pervert
• rake
• villain
• libertine
• deviate
• playboy
• backslider
• debauchee
• debaucher
• derelict
• profligate
• perv
• decadent
• rakehell
• rip
• bankrupt
• reprobate
• delinquent
• heel
• scoundrel
• rogue
• blackguard
• knave
• sicko
• cad
• incorrigible
• lecher
• miscreant
• satyr
• rascal
• sickie
• playgirl

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• saint

degenerate

3 of 3

verb

di-ˈje-nə-ˌrāt 

as in to deteriorate

to become worse or of less value

over the years the community-minded organization degenerated into a club for loafers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deteriorate
• descend
• crumble
• worsen
• decline
• decay
• rot
• devolve
• diminish
• atrophy
• retrograde
• regress
• sink
• ebb
• weaken
• disintegrate
• corrupt
• go to seed
• degrade
• fall
• sag
• decompose
• go to pot
• putrefy
• recede
• reduce
• dwindle
• slip
• downsize
• wane
• sour
• dilapidate
• undermine
• abate
• spoil
• debilitate
• languish
• run down
• waste (away)
• break down
• lessen
• fail
• droop
• molder
• wilt
• lower
• lag
• de-escalate
• flag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improve
• ameliorate
• better
• upgrade
• enhance
• enrich
• intensify
• meliorate
• strengthen
• develop
• proceed
• heighten
• fortify
• progress
• advance
• march

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of degenerate

Adjective

In Osamu Dazai’s The Setting Sun, Kazuko despairs of the pain that her brother Naoji’s drug addiction and degenerate behavior have caused the family. —Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

The latest film from Polish filmmaker Jan Komasa follows a 19-year-old degenerate raver from London who, in the last gasp of an all-time bender, is kidnapped by Stephen Graham and chained up in the basement of a posh estate. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2026

Noun

Today, Trump and his party haven’t bothered to even pretend to be appalled by the degenerates gathering under the GOP aegis. —Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2026

What should be a gripping thriller centered on new, uncharted technology and questionable loyalties degenerates into a jumbled mess. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 27 Dec. 2025

Verb

Floaters are most common in people over age 50 because that’s when the vitreous gel typically begins to degenerate, a process called vitreous syneresis, Starr said. —Cathy Nelson, Health, 13 Mar. 2026

Volume 1 about a troubled pregnant woman who accepts an invite to a dinner party which degenerates into a bloody and demented nightmare. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026