1
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
the organization's degeneration from a movement for political reform to just another political party
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2
as in weakening
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
the troubling degeneration of his memory since he reached middle age
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3
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
the general degeneration that characterized so many old mining towns, which had only drinking and gambling for entertainment
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degeneration
While chubby cats may look cute, obesity can shorten their life and expose them to elevated risks of cancer, diabetes mellitus, heart disease and hypertension, osteoarthritis and faster degeneration of affected joints, urinary bladder stones, and anesthetic complications.
—
Maria Azzurra Volpe, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
These issues, now understood as symptoms of EDS, were caused by the disorder's impact on connective tissues, leading to joint instability and degeneration over time.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
During the ruckus, Blake is gashed by the beast, beginning his gradual transformation and degeneration into a Wolf Man.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025
How to know if your dog is suffering from osteoarthritis
Stiffness and difficulty getting up are some of the common signs a dog suffers from osteoarthritis, which the ASPCA defines as inflammation and degeneration in the joint.
—Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for degeneration
Maria Azzurra Volpe, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
These issues, now understood as symptoms of EDS, were caused by the disorder's impact on connective tissues, leading to joint instability and degeneration over time.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
During the ruckus, Blake is gashed by the beast, beginning his gradual transformation and degeneration into a Wolf Man.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025
How to know if your dog is suffering from osteoarthritis
Stiffness and difficulty getting up are some of the common signs a dog suffers from osteoarthritis, which the ASPCA defines as inflammation and degeneration in the joint.
—Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for degeneration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degeneration
Noun
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Kahle, who early on recognized the ephemeral nature of the web, said the rapid deterioration of the living web is a serious threat to historical preservation.—
Emma Bowman,
NPR,
23 Mar. 2025
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Of course, however, a severe deterioration in the U.S. economy would have global repercussions.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Overly broad agent objectives introduce performance degradation, making debugging and optimization significantly more challenging.—
Rick Kelly,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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Where everything seems more and more about degradation.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Related Articles Domestic manufacturers added 10,000 jobs last month, despite a 1,200-person decline at apparel factories.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
27 Mar. 2025
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Print stayed mostly flat at $3.04 billion, with a 1% gain in ad revenue but a 1% decline in subscriptions.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Since then, the levels have been adjusted to a maximum of 0.7 ppm or 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water, which is considered optimal for preventing tooth decay.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
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Weak or absent pulse Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia Some people with severe arterial blockages develop chronic limb-threatening ischemia (insufficient blood flow), which can cause severe, constant pain, gangrene (tissue decay), and even limb loss (amputation).—
Alicen Nelson MD,
Verywell Health,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Boland states that a comprehensive charter is needed to address Chicago’s continuing climate of political corruption.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2025
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Blatter, 89, and Platini, 69, had been facing a charge of corruption at the Extraordinary Appeals Chamber of the Swiss Criminal Court before being cleared, according to a statement to The Athletic from their lawyer, having previously been cleared of fraud more than two years ago.—
Dan Sheldon,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In contrast, during 2016-16 the lunar declination varied from only 18.5 degrees north to 18.5 degrees south.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
7 Feb. 2025
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Red and declinations to rust and burgundy at Ferragamo and Bottega Veneta.—
WWD,
WWD,
3 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Degeneration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degeneration. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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