degeneration
degeneration
nounDefinition of DEGENERATION
1
a change to a lower state or level <the organization's degeneration from a movement for political reform to just another political party>
Synonyms decadence, declension, declination, degeneracy, degeneration, degradation, dégringolade, descent, deterioration, devolution, downfall, downgrade, ebb, eclipse, fall
Related Words dark age, nadir, sunset; decay, rotting, spoiling; breakup, crumbling, decomposition, disintegration, dissolution; abasement, debasement; depreciation, lessening; decimation, demolishment, demolition, desolation, destruction, havoc, ruin, ruination; abatement, decrease, decrement, de-escalation, deflation, diminishment, diminution, dip, downslide, downtrend, downturn, drop, drop-off, falloff, loss, lowering, reduction, sag, shrinkage, slip, slump
Near Antonyms advancement, development, evolution, growth; blossoming, flourishing, flowering; renewal, restoration, revitalization; heightening; accretion, accrual, addendum, addition, augmentation, boost, enhancement, gain, increase, increment, raise, supplement
2
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body <the troubling degeneration of his memory since he reached middle age>
Synonyms debilitation, decay, decaying, declension, degeneration, descent, deterioration, ebbing, enfeeblement, weakening
Antonyms comeback, improvement, rally, recovery, recuperation, rehabilitation, revitalization, snapback
3
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>
