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
This natural degradation in data characteristics means an AI that once performed well might start making errors as its environment evolves.
—Ronen Cojocaru, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Despite the degradation of its military capabilities, Iran can leverage proxies, criminal organizations abroad, and cyberattacks to hit Israeli, and possibly U.S., targets.
—Nakissa Jahanbani, The Conversation, 20 June 2025
The eerily empty locations, the degradation of a mind left to wander, the longing and loneliness — The Last Man on Earth is a test run for countless stories to come.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 18 June 2025
But while collagen is hardy and generally less susceptible to degradation over long timescales than DNA, Australia’s harsh environment has nevertheless made finding usable samples difficult.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for degradation
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Ronen Cojocaru, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Despite the degradation of its military capabilities, Iran can leverage proxies, criminal organizations abroad, and cyberattacks to hit Israeli, and possibly U.S., targets.
—Nakissa Jahanbani, The Conversation, 20 June 2025
The eerily empty locations, the degradation of a mind left to wander, the longing and loneliness — The Last Man on Earth is a test run for countless stories to come.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 18 June 2025
But while collagen is hardy and generally less susceptible to degradation over long timescales than DNA, Australia’s harsh environment has nevertheless made finding usable samples difficult.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 5 June 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 8 Jul. 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
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