degenerating

verb

present participle of degenerate
as in deteriorating
to become worse or of less value over the years the community-minded organization degenerated into a club for loafers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degenerating
  1. deteriorating
  2. crumbling
  3. worsening
  4. descending
  5. declining
Verb
  • Families of some of the 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard the Lincoln describe low morale and deteriorating conditions.
    — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Concerns about mental health deteriorating on these types of deployments are well-founded.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of deteriorating
Verb
  • Instead of crumbling in defeat, Rivera roared back with defiance.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Puerto Rico has struggled with water and power outages for years due to crumbling infrastructure.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of crumbling
Verb
  • The Washington’s deployment comes as reports have emerged in recent months recounting worsening living conditions, mental health concerns, and supply shortages on board the Lincoln.
    — Connor Greene, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The exploration licenses were granted before Greenland stopped issuing new licenses in 2021, citing the worsening climate crisis.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of worsening
Verb
  • Throughout the night, a massive cylindrical lighting-and-video rig loomed above the stage, descending toward the performers, rising into the rafters and continually changing the dimensions of the space around them.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Aug. 2026
  • One of the first stops is Cascade River State Park, where short hiking trails follow a series of rapids and waterfalls descending toward the lake.
    — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of descending
Verb
  • Farage did not give a victory speech after declining to attend the declaration, claiming police had warned of a campaign to disrupt it.
    — Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Is the town’s population growing or declining, and by how much?
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of declining

Browse Nearby Words

degenerates
degenerating
degeneration
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Cite this Entry

“Degenerating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degenerating. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on degenerating

Nglish: Translation of degenerating for Spanish Speakers

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