1
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
the organization's degeneration from a movement for political reform to just another political party
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2
as in weakening
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
the troubling degeneration of his memory since he reached middle age
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3
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
the general degeneration that characterized so many old mining towns, which had only drinking and gambling for entertainment
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Recent Examples of degeneration
The diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, a brain disorder caused by degeneration of the brain's frontal lobe, comes nearly a year after Willis' family confirmed the movie icon, now 67, was stepping away from acting due to an aphasia diagnosis.
—
Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
The diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, a brain disorder caused by degeneration of the brain's frontal lobe, comes nearly a year after Willis' family confirmed the movie icon, now 67, was stepping away from acting due to an aphasia diagnosis.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
Following his retirement from acting in 2022 due to an aphasia diagnosis, Willis' family revealed in February 2023 that the actor had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a brain disorder caused by degeneration of the brain's frontal lobe.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
The effect is particularly pronounced for cells that are very energy-hungry, like brain cells – causing the gradual degeneration seen with Parkinson’s disease.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degeneration
Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
The diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, a brain disorder caused by degeneration of the brain's frontal lobe, comes nearly a year after Willis' family confirmed the movie icon, now 67, was stepping away from acting due to an aphasia diagnosis.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
Following his retirement from acting in 2022 due to an aphasia diagnosis, Willis' family revealed in February 2023 that the actor had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a brain disorder caused by degeneration of the brain's frontal lobe.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
The effect is particularly pronounced for cells that are very energy-hungry, like brain cells – causing the gradual degeneration seen with Parkinson’s disease.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degeneration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degeneration
Noun
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From the start, the idea was to revitalize Eagle Crest Plaza, which became blighted due to years of neglect and deterioration by rainwater detention.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2025
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Conversely, Oklahoma and Iowa exhibited the fastest doubling of death rates after age 35—a sign of more rapid health deterioration among their populations.—
Jordan King
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
Noun
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Using her celebrity, Tabei was also an activist for environmental change in high-altitude regions, having grown appalled by the degradation of fragile mountain glaciers that was being caused by the mountaineering industry.—
Jenny Hall,
CNN Money,
14 May 2025
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To others, a symbol of degradation and objectification.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
Noun
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White House spokesperson Kush Desai celebrated the decline in a statement Tuesday touting other news from the CPI report which also showed cooling inflation.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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Harris and the White House also had to field frequent questions about Biden's cognitive abilities, as well as allegations that the administration intentionally hid the extent of the former president's decline from the American public during primary season.—
Anna Commander
Sonam Sheth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Noun
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The structure’s decay was captured in numerous photos, and demolition seemed imminent when the decision was made to rebuild it in conjunction with the new Power & Light District.—
Randy Mason,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2025
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The Context Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has frequently railed against fluoride—which medical and dental experts say can be crucial in preventing tooth decay and cavities, especially in children who live in areas with lower levels of fluoride in drinking water.—
Sonam Sheth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
Noun
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The Boston City Council will take up a resolution this week that calls for disgraced Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson’s removal from the body in the wake of her guilty plea to two federal corruption charges tied to a City Hall kickback scheme.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
13 May 2025
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However, rumors swirled about his luxury lifestyle and possible corruption and eventually led to federal charges in 2007.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2025
Noun
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The changing declination also defines the daily arc that the sun takes across the sky, thereby accounting for the length of daylight.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
6 Feb. 2025
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The sun's changing declination is what determines whether the sun's rays strike us at a low angle or more directly.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Degeneration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degeneration. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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