degenerate 1 of 3

degenerate

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noun

degenerate

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective degenerate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of degenerate are corrupt, iniquitous, nefarious, vicious, and villainous. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

When would corrupt be a good substitute for degenerate?

While the synonyms corrupt and degenerate are close in meaning, corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

When is iniquitous a more appropriate choice than degenerate?

The synonyms iniquitous and degenerate are sometimes interchangeable, but iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

Where would nefarious be a reasonable alternative to degenerate?

The words nefarious and degenerate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

In what contexts can vicious take the place of degenerate?

In some situations, the words vicious and degenerate are roughly equivalent. However, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

When could villainous be used to replace degenerate?

The meanings of villainous and degenerate largely overlap; however, villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

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 degenerate
Adjective
There was alarm at the prospect of hundreds of thousands of soldiers returning to the U.S. with such degenerate experience under their belts, and presumably spreading these habits among hitherto innocent American wives. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024 Ammon did appear tempted to talk the walk in Portland, to become the Mormon cowboy philosopher king wandering a degenerate realm of an ailing Republic, but by now time was in extremely short supply. Matt Thompson, SPIN, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
At another point, a surface-to-air missile takes out a passenger airliner, something that really happened — but the attack is as purposeless here as the tragic original event, other than to remind us that Valet, who surveys the wreckage for valuables, is a degenerate. Boris Fishman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025 On The Challenge: Battle of the Eras, these now-geriatric degenerates will duke it out for the only prize worth fighting for: making their kids proud. Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2024
Verb
An outdoorsy child, Bobo understands the world by observing the adults around her, particularly her mercurial mother, Nicola (Davidtz), whose feelings of entitlement over the land degenerate into racist mania. Natalia Winkelman, New York Times, 10 July 2025 Overall, this study furthers our understanding of glycogen stores and how healthy neurons can quickly degenerate if the conditions for impeding metabolism are present. New Atlas, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for degenerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degenerate
Adjective
  • Stevenson has become more intentional with his efforts to understand offensive concepts and routes and the ways opposing teams often attack his weak spots.
    Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • But this weaker god jumped in without hesitation and was gifted the ability to become Tonatiuh, the sun.
    Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In one of many tonally jarring subplots, Vince works out a scam to burn down his dead mother’s house in Brooklyn to collect the insurance money with the help of a corrupt fire marshal.
    Andrew Bernard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The writer became inspired to counteract his complicity in a corrupt system.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Boiled down to a thoughtless pervert by the public, Six became one.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2025
  • What follows is a floor-by-floor descent into madness as Bobby battles bloodthirsty perverts, demonic flash mobs, and hallucinogenic suburban nightmares, all while trying to figure out if he’s meant to be the hero… or just the last guy standing.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Breaking them down to save for a later date isn’t enough, as bugs will still nestle their way in even as the cardboard deteriorates.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Advertisement Our hygiene deteriorates.
    Eli Sharabi, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Of the 20 dead cats, eight were too decayed for a necropsy exam, which determines the cause of death of a dead animal and any associated diseases or injuries.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The breakthrough came when researchers focused on coelomic fluid, the internal liquid surrounding the sea stars’ organs, rather than tissue from decayed specimens.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • At the same time, suicide-attack FPVs incorporate AI navigation for autonomous terminal guidance under degraded control.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Under her leadership, the NYBG’s research team has expanded to 81 projects across 79 countries to conserve disappearing plant species, restore degraded ecosystems, and breed crops to withstand drought, sea level rise and extreme heat under climate change.
    Eduardo Garcia, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Once federal police and the National Guard descended on Washington, incidents further declined to 3,592.
    Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2025
  • In an interview with Ars Technica, Fiaschetti said the company plans to keep Arcs in orbit for extended periods, ready to descend when called upon.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Cheesecake Factory, which has had smaller, low-calorie versions of its decadent entrées on its menu since 2011, expanded its value options this summer in hopes of reversing negative traffic trends.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Rich, decadent, and full of flavor, the most popular recipe this month is Million Dollar Meatloaf.
    Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Degenerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degenerate. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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