1
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
English teachers bemoaning the degradation of the language that e-mail and instant messaging have allegedly brought about
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in corruption
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
the belief that moral degradation is an unmistakable sign of a nation in decline
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degradation
The European Parliament has said textiles were the third-largest source of water degradation and land use in the European Union in 2020.
—
ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Hezbollah’s degradation over the past three years has increased its reliance on Tehran, but analysts disagree as to the extent.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
The set of farming practices that drives climate mitigation and restores soil health, biodiversity, and water cycles is upheld as a remedy for farmland degradation and chemical-intensive fiber farming.
—Lucianne Tonti, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2026
Research shows that artificial intelligence tools can support learning, but also has raised concerns, including students’ overreliance, cheating, and the potential degradation of critical thinking and engagement.
—Jeanne Beatrix Law, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for degradation
ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Hezbollah’s degradation over the past three years has increased its reliance on Tehran, but analysts disagree as to the extent.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
The set of farming practices that drives climate mitigation and restores soil health, biodiversity, and water cycles is upheld as a remedy for farmland degradation and chemical-intensive fiber farming.
—Lucianne Tonti, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2026
Research shows that artificial intelligence tools can support learning, but also has raised concerns, including students’ overreliance, cheating, and the potential degradation of critical thinking and engagement.
—Jeanne Beatrix Law, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degradation
Noun
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Built in 1948, the bridge is not as old as others in the city, but the concrete is in bad condition as a result of years of deterioration and weather, said Keith Echternach, DPW program manager of Bridge Design.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
1 Apr. 2026
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Years of economic deterioration have tipped into something more acute.—
Thomas E. Franklin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Over the past decade, United States Attorney’s Offices in New York City, Boston and Philadelphia have charged dozens of individuals in corruption and fraud schemes involving college coaches, players and athletic department personnel.—
Robert L. Boone,
Sportico.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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Four people were charged Tuesday in connection a federal corruption investigation that has ensnared NYC Councilmember Farah Louis and a nonprofit providing homeless services to the city.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Estrogen decline is linked to higher total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
1 Apr. 2026
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Microsoft saw its stock fall 23% over the first quarter, more than the 7% decline of the tech-heavy NASDAQ, marking the worst quarter for its share price since 2008.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Federal regulations require special counsels to provide the attorney general with a report that explain prosecution or declination decisions once their work is concluded.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
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Of the 395 complaints the division received, 306 were resolved through determinations or declinations.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Bakri’s face is impassive and exhausted during this casual debasement, his voice low, and his tone deadpan, as though Salim has been forced to do all this a million times before.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
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Investors who are particularly concerned about currency debasement or geopolitical instability — both of which have driven gold's price run in recent years — may also find the physical gold component meaningful.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Degradation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degradation. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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