degenerate

adjective

de·gen·er·ate | \ di-ˈjen-rət

, -ˈje-nə-, dē-\

Definition of degenerate

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : having declined or become less specialized (as in nature, character, structure, or function) from an ancestral or former state the last degenerate member of a noble family— W. E. Swinton

b : having sunk to a condition below that which is normal to a type … fruit so degenerate that the insects weren't even interested …— Tamar Perla especially : having sunk to a lower and usually corrupt and vicious state a degenerate schemer a despairing and degenerate world had sunk into servitude beneath him — W. L. Sullivan

c : degraded sense 2 the functionally degenerate wings of the species

2 mathematics : being simpler (as by having a factor or constant equal to zero) than the typical case a degenerate hyperbola

3 physics, astronomy : characterized by atoms stripped of their electrons and by very great density degenerate matter also : consisting of degenerate matter a degenerate star

4 physics, chemistry : having two or more states or subdivisions especially of the same energy or frequency degenerate energy level degenerate oscillation

5 genetics : having more than one codon representing an amino acid also : being such a codon

degenerate

verb

de·gen·er·ate | \ di-ˈje-nə-ˌrāt

, dē-\

degenerated; degenerating; degenerates

Definition of degenerate (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

1 : to pass from a higher to a lower type or condition : deteriorate her fixed mysterious smile degenerated into a fatuous stare— J. C. Powys

2 : to sink into a low intellectual or moral state The debate degenerated into a shouting match. At the same time, discotheques degenerated into seedier venues … —shifty, often Mob-run last-martini stops for business commuters …— Peter Braunstein

3 : to decline in quality the poetry gradually degenerates into jingles … the sitcom has degenerated into a sparring ring of personal insult— James Wolcott

4 biology : to decline from a condition or from the standards of a species, race, or breed

5 biology : to evolve or develop into a less autonomous (see autonomous sense 2a) or less functionally active form degenerated into dependent parasites

transitive verb

: to cause to degenerate

degenerate

noun

de·gen·er·ate | \ di-ˈjen-rət

, -ˈje-nə-, dē-\

Definition of degenerate (Entry 3 of 3)

: one that is degenerate (see degenerate entry 1) : such as

a : one degraded from the normal moral standard social degenerates

b : a sexual pervert

c anthropology : one showing signs of reversion (see reversion sense 3a) to an earlier culture stage

Other Words from degenerate Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about degenerate

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Choose the Right Synonym for degenerate

Adjective

vicious, villainous, iniquitous, nefarious, corrupt, degenerate mean highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct. vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence. a vicious gangster villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic. a villainous assault iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness. an iniquitous system of taxation nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct. the nefarious rackets of organized crime corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations. city hall was rife with corrupt politicians degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition. a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

Examples of degenerate in a Sentence

Adjective

He criticizes what he believes is a degenerate society. a degenerate society in which people had no sense of being citizens, only consumers

Verb

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

Noun

a couple of degenerates on a crime spree a degenerate who is uninterested in anything but his own gratification

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The book was a best-seller, but Harding’s friends and the Republican establishment denounced it as fiction and attacked Britton viciously, calling her a degenerate home-wrecker. — Elaine Weiss, WSJ, "Presidential Hush Money, Circa 1920," 31 May 2018 That’s when degenerate nation began a worldwide sweat. — Max Meyer, SI.com, "The Five Most Insane Gambling Moments From the First Weekend of the NCAA Tournament," 18 Mar. 2018 Franco does double duty as Vincent and his twin, the more degenerate Frankie, but Frankie feels like an unnecessary addition. — Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, "Review: ‘The Deuce’ is a surprisingly sincere story of porn and prostitution," 7 Sep. 2017 Today, our politics labors under the petty twin tyrannies of moralism and tribalism, the degenerate cousins of ethics and community. — Fred Bauer, National Review, "How to Renew Our Civic Culture," 20 Oct. 2017 Walkthru predicts Sunday's game, plus, explains why the Bengals worked out QBs, Boyd's charges, BBP2, degenerate corner on AFC bets and deleted scenes from the week. — Paul Dehner Jr., Cincinnati.com, "Walkthru: Predictions for Bills at Bengals," 6 Oct. 2017 The Young Man and Woman are chased away by degenerate sinners: a prostitute, a knight, a wet nurse, a priest, and God himself. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "Mother!'s Theater of Cruelty," 24 Sep. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

In 2014, Bowlen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a progressive disease that causes brain cells to degenerate and die, slowly wiping away memories and other mental functions, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. — Jason Duaine Hahn, PEOPLE.com, "Denver Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen Dies of Alzheimer's at 75: 'His Shoes Will Never Be Filled'," 14 June 2019 Brexit is a lesson in how quickly a country can degenerate into division and factionalism, and how tenuous are the bonds that hold us together around the vexed issue of national identity. — Jonathan Coe, Time, "How Brexit Broke Britain and Revealed a Country at War With Itself," 6 June 2019 An old hamstring injury and degenerating discs in her back had teamed up to steal her mobility. — Deborah E. Kennedy, Good Housekeeping, "My Mom Has Dementia, But Her Relationship With My Son Is Unforgettable," 3 May 2019 That resilience may keep him in power for years to come even with a multitude of challenges, including a rapidly degenerating economy and a persisting insurgency in the northwest. — Sarah El Deeb, The Seattle Times, "Syria’s Assad: Last man standing amid new Arab uprisings," 13 Apr. 2019 Now, after the resignations of lead Brexit Secretary David Davis and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, the UK’s political system is degenerating into a furious fistfight between advocates of different bad options. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "Dems face big loss, big opportunity with Kavanaugh," 10 July 2018 His actions prompted a protest Monday night in Kasserine that degenerated into violence, with police firing tear gas to disperse protesters who blocked roads and threw stones at police. — Bouazza Ben Bouazza, The Seattle Times, "Protests in Tunisia after journalist sets himself on fire," 26 Dec. 2018 Pneumo thorax, which can easily degenerate to death, is a common side effect of lung biopsies. — Jonathan Kolatch, WSJ, "Keeping Dad Alive From 7,000 Miles Away," 23 Dec. 2018 Our interactions have degenerated into me nagging him about his grades, chores and activities. — Carolyn Hax, The Seattle Times, "Frustrated parent needs to just enjoy silent, challenging son," 9 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

By successfully propping up the degenerate Assad regime, the Kremlin gained veto on any possible political solution to Syria and got a meaningful foothold in the broader region. — Fox News, "Mainstream media hysterics over Helsinki meeting," 18 July 2018 Waterford thinks gay people are degenerate and would string McCullough up at the wall back home in Gilead. — Rena Gross, Billboard, "9 Major Moments From 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 2, Episode 9 'Smart Power'," 13 June 2018 In a handsome catalog accompanying the show, curator Lynette Roth notes that only about a quarter of the more than 100 artists declared degenerate left the country. — M.j. Andersen, WSJ, "‘Inventur—Art in Germany, 1943-55’ Review: Creativity in the Shadow of War," 18 Apr. 2018 Well, for degenerate gamblers like yours truly, a shot down seven points as time expires can be just as sweet. — Max Meyer, SI.com, "The Five Most Insane Gambling Moments From the First Weekend of the NCAA Tournament," 18 Mar. 2018 In his iconic 1975 thriller High-Rise, a luxury apartment complex degenerates when its residents take up arms against each other, prompted by nothing but disputes over clogged garbage chutes. — Becca Rothfeld, The New Republic, "J.G. Ballard’s Eerily Accurate Dystopias," 14 Mar. 2018 Charm City’s favorite unregenerate degenerate appreciated the shout-out. — Chris Kaltenbach, baltimoresun.com, "A very John Waters take on why 'Shape of Water' might have been set in Baltimore," 12 Mar. 2018 This game was so bad degenerate gamblers took a pass. — Mac Engel, star-telegram, "Mavericks' silly, unbelievable, insulting streak should stop," 13 Feb. 2018 Those who suffer from this madness will do anything, even toss democratic principles into the trash bin or vote for a moral degenerate like Roy Moore, to safeguard their illusion. — Eddie S. Glaude, Time, "Black Voters Just Sent a Strong Message to Democrats By Electing Doug Jones," 13 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'degenerate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of degenerate was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for degenerate

degenerate

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of degenerate

(Entry 1 of 3)

: having low moral standards : not honest, proper, or good

degenerate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of degenerate (Entry 2 of 3)

: to change to a worse state or condition : to become worse, weaker, less useful, etc.

degenerate

noun

English Language Learners Definition of degenerate (Entry 3 of 3)

disapproving : a person whose behavior is not morally right or socially acceptable

See the full definition for degenerate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

degenerate

adjective

de·gen·er·ate | \ di-ˈjen-(ə-)rət

Medical Definition of degenerate

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : having declined (as in nature, character, structure, or function) from an ancestral or former state especially : having deteriorated progressively (as in the process of evolution) especially through loss of structure and function

b : having sunk to a lower and usually corrupt and vicious state

2 : having more than one codon representing an amino acid also : being such a codon