Synonyms of degenerates

degenerates 1 of 2

noun

plural of degenerate

as in perverts

a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard

a degenerate who is uninterested in anything but his own gratification

Synonyms & Similar Words

• perverts
• villains
• rakes
• libertines
• derelicts
• rips
• backsliders
• deviates
• playboys
• decadents
• debauchees
• delinquents
• profligates
• pervs
• debauchers
• incorrigibles
• scoundrels
• reprobates
• rakehells
• bankrupts
• rogues
• blackguards
• knaves
• heels
• cads
• miscreants
• satyrs
• lechers
• rascals
• playgirls

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• saints

degenerates

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of degenerate

as in deteriorates

to become worse or of less value

over the years the community-minded organization degenerated into a club for loafers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deteriorates
• descends
• crumbles
• worsens
• declines
• devolves
• diminishes
• atrophies
• rots
• decays
• regresses
• retrogrades
• sinks
• ebbs
• disintegrates
• weakens
• goes to seed
• goes to pot
• falls
• degrades
• sags
• decomposes
• putrefies
• wanes
• dwindles
• corrupts
• reduces
• downsizes
• sours
• recedes
• slips
• debilitates
• undermines
• abates
• spoils
• dilapidates
• de-escalates
• lags
• breaks down
• molders
• droops
• languishes
• fails
• runs down
• lessens
• wastes (away)
• wilts
• lowers
• flags

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improves
• ameliorates
• upgrades
• meliorates
• intensifies
• progresses
• enhances
• enriches
• betters
• develops
• strengthens
• proceeds
• advances
• heightens
• fortifies
• marches

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of degenerates

Noun

The product exploded, generating trillions and minting a new class of crypto degenerates who were willing to take massive risks that, occasionally, resulted in millions. — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026

In all vertebrates, the thymus degenerates very rapidly with age. — Mallory Locklear, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026

Ike Barinholtz may play degenerates well, but, off screen, the writer, comedian and star is something of a trivia savant. — Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 3 Mar. 2026

What should be a gripping thriller centered on new, uncharted technology and questionable loyalties degenerates into a jumbled mess. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 27 Dec. 2025

If this group of hardened degenerates was able to enjoy the action at this level, who, exactly, are the spiritual victims of sports betting? — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025

Once Gacy is caught, the media runs with the details — all those bodies crammed in that crawlspace, some of them buried in trenches Gacy made his employees dig out — and paints his victims as runaways or degenerates who put themselves in danger. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025

Verb

Volume 1 about a troubled pregnant woman who accepts an invite to a dinner party which degenerates into a bloody and demented nightmare. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026