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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun degeneration differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of degeneration are decadence, decline, and deterioration. While all these words mean "the falling from a higher to a lower level in quality, character, or vitality," degeneration stresses physical, intellectual, or especially moral retrogression.

the degeneration of their youthful idealism into cynicism

When can decadence be used instead of degeneration?

Although the words decadence and degeneration have much in common, decadence presupposes a reaching and passing the peak of development and implies a turn downward with a consequent loss in vitality or energy.

cited love of luxury as a sign of cultural decadence

How are the words decline and decadence related as synonyms of degeneration?

Decline differs from decadence in suggesting a more markedly downward direction and greater momentum as well as more obvious evidence of deterioration.

the meteoric decline of his career after the scandal

In what contexts can deterioration take the place of degeneration?

The words deterioration and degeneration are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deterioration implies generally the impairment of value or usefulness.

the deterioration of the house through neglect

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 degeneration Interestingly, a combination of two cancer drugs stood out: Research in mice showed that this combination reduced brain degeneration and restored memory, according to findings recently published in Cell, pointing towards a potent treatment path never considered before. Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 21 July 2025 An illustration of the human brain showing a shrunken substantia nigra, a degeneration that occurs with Parkinson’s disease. Fernanda González, Wired News, 10 July 2025 Scientists have uncovered critical pathways to combat osteoporosis and related conditions more effectively and efficiently by studying rapid skeletal degeneration in microgravity. Shelli Brunswick, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 It was successfully treated but the parasite caused permanent brain lesions leading to gradual degeneration that affected her coordination, mobility, and motor skills. Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for degeneration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degeneration
Noun
  • Initial jobless claims indicate only a minimal pickup in layoffs and/or deterioration in labor conditions at present, a positive dynamic.
    Jeffrey Schulze, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The largest member of the grass family, bamboo is combustible, susceptible to deterioration and weaker in rain, raising legitimate questions about its durability, Arup’s Ho said.
    Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Inflammation can cause vascular disease — the narrowing, weakening or even blockage of blood vessels — that can damage organs such as the kidneys, lungs, liver and of course the brain.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Hurricane center forecasters said additional weakening is expected during the next few days, with Kiko moving toward the west-northwest around 14 mph.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For engineers, all this means coupling MLOps with DevOps by integrating retraining triggers, model validation steps and performance degradation alerts directly into deployment pipelines.
    Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • High-speed charging generates substantial thermal energy, which can accelerate cell degradation, reduce the battery’s overall lifespan, and in rare cases, lead to safety issues like thermal runaway.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Chinese authorities said that headline CPI had slipped into negative territory largely due to the high-base last year and lower food prices, while crediting the narrower decline in producer prices in part to Beijing's efforts in regulating the excessive price competition.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Apple—which topped the World’s Best Companies list in 2024—is notably absent this year due to a decline in revenue from 2022 to 2024, which many Wall Street analysts have postulated could be due to the company falling behind on AI.
    Charlotte Hu, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • To determine if a root canal is needed, dentists conduct a thorough exam, often with X-rays, to evaluate decay, damage and the tooth’s internal condition.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Its alignment with figures like North Korea’s Kim Jong Un symbolizes the isolation and reputational decay of a regime that relies on coercion rather than consent.
    Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Leading up to the protests, the hashtag #NepoBaby had been trending in the country, largely to criticize the extravagant lifestyles of local politicians' children and call out corruption, NPR previously reported.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Apart from lifting the ban on social media, the protesters’ other demands included that the Prime Minister resign and that Nepal establish an independent watchdog body similar to an ombudsman to monitor corruption.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • On those three dates, variations in the moon's position relative to Earth's equator — particularly its declination — can influence tidal forces that subtly affect Earth's rotation rate.
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Where corporate criminal investigations resolve without filing any criminal charges (through a declination or deferred prosecution agreement), companies should expect victims to still voice their views loudly to the Justice Department and beyond.
    Lisa Zornberg, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Degeneration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degeneration. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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