degradation
noun
deg·ra·da·tion
ˌde-grə-ˈdā-shən 
1
: the act or process of degrading
environmental degradation
the gradual degradation of organic matter
… nothing infuriates the female students more than the degradation of women that is associated with male sports …—
Scott Stossel
Scott Stosselsuffer the degradations of poverty and abuse
2
a
: decline to a low, destitute, or demoralized state
shocked by the hopeless degradation of the "poor whites"—Edith Wharton
Edith WhartonSome houses are found spotless, others in a wretched degradation …—Paul Reyes
Paul Reyes
b
: moral or intellectual decadence : degeneration
educated him in the bestiality and degradation that war brings—Drew Middleton
Drew MiddletonExamples of degradation in a Sentence
English teachers bemoaning the degradation of the language that e-mail and instant messaging have allegedly brought about.
the belief that moral degradation is an unmistakable sign of a nation in decline
Recent Examples on the Web
Using her celebrity, Tabei was also an activist for environmental change in high-altitude regions, having grown appalled by the degradation of fragile mountain glaciers that was being caused by the mountaineering industry.
—Jenny Hall, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
To others, a symbol of degradation and objectification.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Ukraine makes occasional drone strikes within Russia, and its degradation of Russian naval power in the Black Sea has been impressive, but Kyiv lacks the manpower and the materiel to capture large amounts of territory.
—Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 1 May 2025
The rule of thumb is not to exceed an image scale of around 1920 x 1080, as this will result in an overall degradation of your image.
—Josh Dury, Space.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jenny Hall, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
To others, a symbol of degradation and objectification.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Ukraine makes occasional drone strikes within Russia, and its degradation of Russian naval power in the Black Sea has been impressive, but Kyiv lacks the manpower and the materiel to capture large amounts of territory.
—Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 1 May 2025
The rule of thumb is not to exceed an image scale of around 1920 x 1080, as this will result in an overall degradation of your image.
—Josh Dury, Space.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Cite this Entry
“Degradation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/degradation. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
degradation
noun
deg·ra·da·tion
ˌdeg-rə-ˈdā-shən
1
a
: a reduction in rank, dignity, or standing
b
: removal from office
2
: loss of honor or reputation
Medical Definition
degradation
noun
deg·ra·da·tion
ˌdeg-rə-ˈdā-shən
: change of a chemical compound to a less complex compound
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share