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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 However, researchers have found that a slow neurological degeneration occurs in the disease, partially independent of inflammation. Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2025 The Ziegfeld Ballroom sparkled as the stars aligned—both in the sky and in the room—to raise critical funds for families affected by frontotemporal degeneration (FTD). Vogue, 6 Apr. 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 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 See All Example Sentences for degeneration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degeneration
Noun
  • They are then transported to the Berkhamsted conservation center, where their condition is examined for deterioration.
    Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • Nationwide, the ramifications of deportation for these key citizens will affect all of us, which can lead to deterioration of our healthcare system, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, home health aides, etc.
    Rachel Blumberg, Sun Sentinel, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • Violence, corruption and environmental degradation have saturated the avocado trade there, causing the U.S. to briefly stop imports and senators to agitate for action by the federal government.
    Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
  • These trade shifts are causing environmental degradation.
    Simi Thambi​, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • The decline in shipping has broader ripple effects on L.A.’s logistics economy.
    Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
  • Russell Reynolds' Global CEO Turnover Index reports that the average CEO tenure dropped from 8.1 years in Q1 2024 to 6.8 years in Q1 2025, marking the sharpest decline in recent years.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • Fluoride is under increasingly intense fire despite its dramatic ability to prevent tooth decay.
    Erika Edwards, NBC news, 30 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, about 40% of US children had access to optimal fluoride levels that effectively prevent tooth decay – between 0.6 and 1.5 milligrams per liter – while about 46% had access to even lower levels.
    Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • The film's themes of corruption and the brave whistleblowers who expose it feel particularly apt in this current moment.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 5 June 2025
  • In the early two-thousands, he was found to have misrepresented himself as a prosecutor to help a journalist investigate a mayor suspected of corruption; he was accused of having an extramarital affair; his son reportedly posted misogynistic comments online.
    E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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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Cite this Entry

“Degeneration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degeneration. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

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