as in deteriorating
to become worse or of less value
over the years the community-minded organization degenerated into a club for loafers
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Recent Examples of degenerating
McFarland found the items inside a degenerating family trunk.
—
Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
But in general, any organic media is going to start degenerating over time, and the pH is going to be higher.
—Ryan Conner, Dallas Morning News, 1 Apr. 2026
Scientists have hailed the benefits of exercising early in life to lower the risk of your brain degenerating later.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
In the Pacific, meteorologists are watching to see how much rain the degenerating Tropical Storm Mario could carry into the San Diego region.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
But in general, any organic media is going to start degenerating over time, and the pH is going to be higher.
—Ryan Conner, Dallas Morning News, 1 Apr. 2026
Scientists have hailed the benefits of exercising early in life to lower the risk of your brain degenerating later.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
In the Pacific, meteorologists are watching to see how much rain the degenerating Tropical Storm Mario could carry into the San Diego region.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degenerating
Verb
-
Many of these coupists capitalized on public discontent over deteriorating economies and security conditions to overthrow their predecessors.—
Kaitlyn Rabe,
The Conversation,
16 June 2026
-
Project Jupiter has pledged $360 million for schools and local infrastructure, $50 million for an upgrade to the county’s deteriorating water utility, and $12 million annually to the county budget.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
If the grout is crumbling, cracked, or permanently discolored, replacing it may be the best solution.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
10 June 2026
-
In the background, in the doorway of a crumbling stone building, stands a tiny, faceless figure, her arms held neatly behind her back.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Verb
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This affordability crisis disproportionately impacts Black women, with 90% reporting worsening economic conditions and incomes not keeping pace.—
Aisha Nyandoro,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
Lower inventory leads to fewer sales, worsening their standing with automakers.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
All the other Buzz toys follow suit, dropping into the playground like soldiers descending into battle, and the rest of the kids all excitedly grab one to play with.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
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If only the look from the outside-in had measured up the same way instead of descending into a fiasco as thousands faced infuriating delays getting to the stadium.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Factors such as declining birth rates and families moving out of the city are contributing to declining enrollment at Denver Public Schools.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
While one in three students nationwide experienced chronic absenteeism during the 2021-2022 academic year, the rate is declining, from up to 30% to roughly 24% by the start of the past school year, according to estimates from the Return 2 Learn tracker reviewed by ABC News.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Degenerating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degenerating. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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