degenerated 1 of 2

adjective

as in deteriorated

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degenerated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of degenerate
as in worsened
to become worse or of less value over the years the community-minded organization degenerated into a club for loafers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 degenerated
Verb
In the Atlantic Ocean, former Tropical Storm Cristobal weakened and degenerated into a post-tropical remnant low on Thursday, the center said. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 Macron’s highest aspirations to, as a modern Talleyrand, inject himself and solve global issues such as Ukraine, Africa’s Sahel, Syria, Lebanon, or Iran have fallen short, degenerated into petty feuds, or backfired. — Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 Last fall, a Krousty Sabaïdi giveaway promoted by popular French influencer Fares Salvatore, who has more than 868,000 followers on TikTok, degenerated into mayhem when the call-out attracted 3,000 teenagers. — Vivian Song, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026 Murderous encounters dating to the Risdon Cove settlement eventually degenerated into the Black War (1804–30), a period of great physical conflict between the Aboriginal population and European settlers. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026 After a police operation in Rio de Janeiro in October degenerated into a chaotic shootout, leading to more than 120 deaths, Brazilian civil society groups reacted in horror. — Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025 Our national political and cultural discourse, especially online, has degenerated into a permanent fever dream. — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025 The bear bowled Propst over backward, and the encounter degenerated into lopsided hand-to-fang combat. — John McCoy, Outdoor Life, 12 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degenerated
  1. deteriorated
  2. worsened
  3. corroded
  4. crumbled
  5. contaminated
  6. descended
  7. polluted
  8. declined
Adjective
  • Clark said the supports are needed because equipment used in the investigation is too heavy and difficult to maneuver safely on the deteriorated floor.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
  • According to the officer, the decision to classify Sands' death as such was the result of the deteriorated condition of his body.
    — Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026
Definition of deteriorated
Verb
  • Rasonque cut the risk of death by 60%, and patients went longer before their disease progressed and before pain and quality of life worsened.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities in Indonesia, meanwhile, are racing to control wildfires that have dramatically worsened air-quality levels even before fire season typically peaks.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of worsened
Adjective
  • Kennedy also heard reports of corroded parts being on the production line.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
  • There could be a leak, clogged or corroded pipes, or a problem with your home’s water pressure.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of corroded
Verb
  • Since Travis disappeared from the huddle, that empire has crumbled like it had been built on his shoulders all along.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Right-wing Christians were no longer in power; their political movement had crumbled.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of crumbled
Adjective
  • People cannot become infected by swallowing contaminated water.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Consumers who may have purchased contaminated products have been advised by the FDA to either throw them away or return them for a refund at the place of purchase.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of contaminated
Verb
  • Archive footage shows how news crews descended on the home as the hostage drama unfolded.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Thousands of athletes from around the world descended on Chicago this weekend, ready to test months of training at the country’s largest triathlon.
    — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of descended
Adjective
  • In Wilmington, officials are looking into why a couple of polluted tidal creeks in the area are struggling to recover despite restoration efforts.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But flood control cut off that supply, replacing it with polluted canals.
    — Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of polluted
Verb
  • Trump has declined so far to endorse a successor, opting to keep his cards close ahead of what’s likely to be a bitter race.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2026
  • When asked about the lack of any tributes or the evening’s plans to honor Nolan, the Ocean Springs School District declined to comment.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of declined

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degenerated
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Cite this Entry

“Degenerated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degenerated. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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