DEGENERACY Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

degeneracy

noun

di-ˈjen-rə-sē

Definition of degeneracy

as in degradation

a change to a lower state or level the sad degeneracy of the old neighborhood into a slum

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in corruption

a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior the degeneracy of the family into a gang of petty thieves

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of degeneracy 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 This uncertainty, called mass–distance degeneracy, meant that earlier detections could not rule out heavier objects such as brown dwarfs. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 Jan. 2026 Reformers seized on this as both a public-health and a moral crisis; for many Progressives, dirt itself was a sign of degeneracy. — Jacob Beckert, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for degeneracy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for degeneracy

Noun

In the small-cap space, Piper Sandler's Tenthoff likes Monte Rosa Therapeutics, a pioneer in protein degradation that selectively destroys disease-causing proteins.

— Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
The degradation of Starshield is estimated to have cost Ukraine tens of millions of dollars in losses, according to an analysis by Dimko Zhluktenko, a drone pilot and analyst in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

— Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of degradation

Noun

Room for Disagreement Kenyan critics of the AFCON infrastructure developments have argued that the projects have been an avenue for corruption and risk escalating Kenya’s $98 billion debt burden.

— Martin K.N Siele, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
The students also demanded changes in the judiciary and urgent investigations in top-level corruption cases that might have been sidelined due to political pressure under Vucic.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of corruption

Noun

To me, the two nude figures in languid declination seemed, saliently, to be melting in the heat of a summer day, but their triton-wielding and breast-cupping poses must certainly have also invited debate centuries before.

— Scott Laird, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026
The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases.

— Ken B. Morales, ProPublica, 31 Mar. 2026

Definition of declination

Noun

But over the past year, the company has seen its share price decline by approximately a third, largely due to rising costs.

— Rob Wile, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
The decline was among the most noteworthy changes in polling about the November ballot, PPIC poll director Mark Baldassare told The Sacramento Bee.

— Andrew Graham October 27, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of decline

Noun

Arab Israelis of Palestinian descent make up 20% of the population but are often seen with suspicion because of their sympathies with other Palestinians.

— Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
In theory, the war’s descent into a painful stalemate should open the door to diplomatic outcomes.

— ALLISON MINOR, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of descent

Noun

There’s plenty of decadence to go around, not only in the amenities and treatments but culinarily speaking—a surprise seven-course chef’s table dinner at Rumari Counter is good for the soul—and the combination is divine.

— Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
But Pavese’s private concerns seem now to be the opposite of decadence.

— Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of decadence

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degeneracies

degeneracy

degenerate

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“Degeneracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degeneracy. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of degeneracy

noun

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