Synonyms of degeneracy

degeneracy

noun

di-ˈjen-rə-sē 

1

as in degradation

a change to a lower state or level

the sad degeneracy of the old neighborhood into a slum

Synonyms & Similar Words

• degradation
• deterioration
• declination
• decline
• descent
• decadence
• degeneration
• downfall
• destruction
• devolution
• ebb
• fall
• decay
• eclipse
• decrease
• declension
• reduction
• downgrade
• decomposition
• dissolution
• disintegration
• dégringolade
• drop
• loss
• dark age
• debasement
• nadir
• breakup
• crumbling
• spoiling
• sunset
• rotting
• abasement
• dip
• slump
• diminution
• depreciation
• ruination
• decimation
• shrinkage
• lessening
• demolition
• havoc
• lowering
• desolation
• deflation
• ruin
• sag
• downturn
• diminishment
• falloff
• decrement
• demolishment
• downtrend
• downslide
• slip
• abatement
• drop-off
• de-escalation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• evolution
• growth
• rise
• development
• ascent
• advancement
• flowering
• upswing
• restoration
• renewal
• revitalization
• increase
• enhancement
• addition
• flourishing
• gain
• blossoming
• augmentation
• increment
• accretion
• supplement
• accrual
• boost
• raise
• heightening
• addendum

2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• degradation
• corruption
• corruptness
• dissoluteness
• turpitude
• debasement
• decadence
• dissipation
• perversion
• abjection
• demoralization
• degeneration
• sinfulness
• depravity
• libertinism
• decadency
• libertinage
• debauchery
• evil
• rakishness
• degenerateness
• immorality
• pervertedness
• villainy
• dissipatedness
• wickedness
• squalor
• filth
• rot
• gangrene

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• virtue
• morality
• goodness
• righteousness

Example Sentences

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