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
Or have his years in finance scrambled his brain and turned him into a degenerate gambler, both at the office and outside it? Zachary Siegel, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2024 The result is a book laden with put-downs of the English working class, who are cast in eugenicist terms as a degenerate race. Lennard J. Davis, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2024
Noun
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 There’s the medieval brutality: Gómez was a homicidal degenerate who collected torture methods instead of stamps. Tim Padgett, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2024
Verb
Their chat degenerates into an argument, and Émilie storms off. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025 But season one degenerated into self-indulgent performance art when Fielder chose to place himself at the center of the action as part of an extended exploration of his readiness to be a parent. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for degenerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degenerate
Adjective
  • Those weak harvests, in turn, are due to drought and high temperatures and more generally climate change, which has negatively impacted coffee harvests for several years.
    Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 21 July 2025
  • It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems, and pregnant women.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • And then reality crashes down around them in a series of scenes that expose the cruel hypocrisy of Iran’s corrupt system (which purports to uphold morality, but allows men in positions of authority to indulge themselves in egregious ways).
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 July 2025
  • Rachel and Ray need to go on the run after Ray’s investigation into a corrupt pharmaceutical executive puts their live in peril.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Special-guest pervert Frank (Sam Rockwell) showcases a monologue about his autogynephilia.
    Armond White, National Review, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The rallies are borne of a deep dissatisfaction with the state of the economy, the deteriorating quality of public services, the administration’s overzealous approach to taxation, and police brutality.
    Ken Opalo, semafor.com, 21 July 2025
  • The two deteriorating sites are both on the radar of municipal officials.
    Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • In the kitchen, opt for glass and stainless-steel containers, and throw away degraded plastic tools.
    Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 7 July 2025
  • Shot on low-grade digital cameras that made every image look even more apocalyptic and degraded, the film remains utterly terrifying, boasting excellent supporting turns from Naomie Harris and Brendan Gleeson as Jim’s fellow survivors.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • On the morning of July 10, immigration agents descended on Glass House Farms near Camarillo and in Carpinteria – a greenhouse complex that is one of the state's largest marijuana farms.
    Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 14 July 2025
  • Potentially Cloudy Guidance The easyJet share price could very well descend on Thursday if CEO Kenton Jarvis doesn’t reiterate his FY25 PBT guidance of roughly £700-710 million.
    John Choong, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • The dish is finished with a decadent, spicy cream sauce formulated with Calabrian chilis, garlic, butter, white wine, cream and marinara.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
  • The September 2023 trip included a decadent state dinner at Versailles in Paris, where the Queen glowed in a caped Dior couture gown and sapphire jewelry from the King George VI Sapphire Suite.
    Stephanie Petit, People.com, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Kids get hurt and get sick, like anyone else; every year, a few in the practice battle life-threatening illness, often cancer.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • Mission Viejo raced to the title while playing without wide receiver Vance Spafford (sick), cornerback Jeron Jones (fractured wrist), safeties Sawyer Thomson (knee) and Zachary Foeldi (knee) and wide receiver Max Markofski (hip).
    Dan Albano, Oc Register, 13 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Degenerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degenerate. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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