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
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The poll also points to broader economic malaise; 55% of Americans say recent price increases have led to financial hardship, and the same number say their financial situation is deteriorating.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In all cases, companies are reporting a surge in oil trading activity, tempered somewhat by the deteriorating outlook for natural gas production, stemming from Iranian air strikes severely damaging crucial gas production sites in the Gulf.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The lawsuit, filed by the 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way Condominium Association, claims building residents have observed concrete balconies crumbling and the building's seawall corroding, issues that lawyers estimate will cost millions of dollars to repair.—
Larry Seward,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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Under the proposal, Berlin would increase its budget by one fifth in 2027 compared to this year, requiring it to borrow upwards of $200 billion to revive its military industry and modernize crumbling infrastructure.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Local officials are hopeful the money can help prevent future upticks in land movement and, ideally, formalize a new pathway for additional federal funding to address the city’s ongoing hazards and worsening budget crisis.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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Two other sloths, Habanero and Bandit, also died because of their condition worsening after being rescued by the zoo.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
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And thanks to South Florida’s population boom, real estate developers are descending on Wellington’s pastures.—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
7 May 2026
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The next morning, in rainy Washington, the protester came down from the bridge, descending via an internal ladder in the arch.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Bass defended her administration’s handling of homelessness, pointing to declining homelessness counts and the city’s Inside Safe program, while criticizing Raman’s record on police hiring and past votes against some encampment enforcement measures near schools and other sensitive sites.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
8 May 2026
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Poverty, lack of transportation to school and mental health struggles contribute to absenteeism and declining enrollment across San Diego County.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Degenerating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degenerating. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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