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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degeneration
Joints exposed to the extract showed fewer signs of degeneration and better overall health than untreated controls.
—
FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
Among this group, the drug has the potential to slow muscle degeneration by targeting SOD1 mRNA, genetic material that tells the body how to make proteins, and reduces the proteins being made.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 Dec. 2025
With the tether, surgeons say, patients can keep their range of motion without the risk of disc degeneration.
—Kate Snow, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
Recent research indicates such degeneration can be a huge factor in Achilles ruptures.
—Matt Villano, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degeneration
FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
Among this group, the drug has the potential to slow muscle degeneration by targeting SOD1 mRNA, genetic material that tells the body how to make proteins, and reduces the proteins being made.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 Dec. 2025
With the tether, surgeons say, patients can keep their range of motion without the risk of disc degeneration.
—Kate Snow, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
Recent research indicates such degeneration can be a huge factor in Achilles ruptures.
—Matt Villano, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degeneration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degeneration
Noun
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Work being done to reduce ponding, draining issues Jason Molinero, the deputy director of the Allegheny County Department of Public Works, said ponding and draining issues are frequent on Campbells Run Road, eventually eating away at pavement and causing premature deterioration.—
Chilekasi Adele,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The Best Freezer Storage Tips Practice good storage techniques to maximize the time foods can be kept in the freezer to prevent deterioration.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At that point, governments and industry execs were not yet backtracking, weakening regulations, re-engining trucks, canceling battery deals or bringing back big, thirsty V8s.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Artificial gravity wards against the dangers of microgravity, including bone loss, muscle wasting, heart weakening, and eye destabilization.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
However, the often suffer from limited infrared absorption, angular sensitivity, high manufacturing costs, and thermal degradation over long-term thermal exposure.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Feb. 2026
-
There were no clear signs of structural or chemical degradation in the atom-thin layer.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Conte was a bad fit from the start and played a small part in their decline.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
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The refusal to engage with the media contrasts Davis’ predecessors and contributes to a sharp decline in transparency at the Forty Acres, which also lost its faculty senate, a long-standing public forum that allowed faculty to question the president directly.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Buildings slid into decay, forcing out the elderly renters, bringing in an underclass -- criminals, dope users, the poor, unemployed Mariel refugees.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
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Cutting in the Wrong Places If done incorrectly, pruning trees can leave behind open wounds, permanent damage, or spreading decay.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
It isn’t accompanied with authorities investigating disappearances, murders, corruption or even necessarily halting the flow of drugs.—
Angélica Durán-Martínez,
The Conversation,
24 Feb. 2026
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But this candid and absorbing memoir is also a stark reminder of the corruptions of power, the uncertainties of revolution and the frequent viciousness of human nature.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Federal regulations require special counsels to provide the attorney general with a report that explain prosecution or declination decisions once their work is concluded.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
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Of the 395 complaints the division received, 306 were resolved through determinations or declinations.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Degeneration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degeneration. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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