degeneracy

noun

de·​gen·​er·​a·​cy di-ˈjen-rə-sē 

-ˈje-nə-, 

dē-

plural degeneracies

1

: the state of being degenerate

2

: the process of becoming degenerate

3

: sexual perversion

4

: the coding of an amino acid by more than one codon

Synonyms of degeneracy

• degradation
• deterioration
• declination
• decline
• descent
• decadence

Examples of degeneracy in a Sentence

the sad degeneracy of the old neighborhood into a slum

the degeneracy of the family into a gang of petty thieves

Recent Examples on the Web

Some lambasted the degeneracy of the modern language. —Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026

Eric Swalwell, a prominent Democratic House member and a front-runner in the race for California governor, had his political career blown up by allegations of degeneracy and abject stupidity. —Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026

One night, Earnshaw goes out for his evening’s gambling and degeneracy and returns the next morning with a new resident for the household. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026

The shoot gives Henry a chance to argue with his uncle, who acknowledges that Henry’s recurrent depression is real — he’s previously been prescribed lithium — but has no patience for his nephew’s degeneracy. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 19 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

degeneracy

noun

de·​gen·​er·​a·​cy di-ˈjen-(ə-)rə-sē 

plural degeneracies

: the state of being or process of becoming degenerate : degradation, debasement

Medical Definition

degeneracy

noun

de·​gen·​er·​a·​cy di-ˈjen-(ə-)rə-sē 

plural degeneracies

1

: the state of being degenerate

2

: the process of becoming degenerate

3

: sexual perversion

4

: the coding of an amino acid by more than one codon of the genetic code