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
Other causes of dementia include vascular disease, frontotemporal degeneration, cerebrovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body disease and even brain trauma.
—
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 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
Moderate degeneration of up to two lumbar intervertebral discs was confirmed by an MRI scan.
—Paul McClure 06, New Atlas, 6 May 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
See All Example Sentences for degeneration
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 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
Moderate degeneration of up to two lumbar intervertebral discs was confirmed by an MRI scan.
—Paul McClure 06, New Atlas, 6 May 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
See All Example Sentences for degeneration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degeneration
Noun
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By diplomatic standards, the deterioration has been abrupt.—
Andreas Kluth,
Mercury News,
14 Aug. 2025
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Other economists — such as those at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Citigroup Inc. and UBS Group AG — interpreted the rapid deterioration in hiring more as a sign of weak labor demand, which would push the Fed to commence with rate reductions at its next policy meeting in September.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The degradation of individual and societal health spirals downward while the most powerful controllers of the medical and pharmaceutical industries thrive.—
David Marks,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Aug. 2025
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The degradation and genocide of Indigenous Americans on the mainland is widely known.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The decline comes as the measles outbreak continues to grow, sickening more people than at any time since it was declared eliminated.—
Amy Feldman,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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Disney’s entertainment division had revenue of $10.7 billion, up 1 percent, and operating income of $1 billion, down 15 percent, due to declines in the linear TV networks, offset by the growth in streaming and some improvements in content licensing.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In organizational life, this might look like: Declines in discretionary effort Ambiguity about priorities Less appetite for risk or experimentation Emotional withdrawal or flattened affect These aren’t signs of decay.—
Scott Hutcheson,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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In places where fluoride is not in the drinking water, fluoride tablets or drops may be prescribed for babies and children to reduce the risk of tooth decay.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
Noun
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In 1870, lawyers founded the City Bar to confront corruption in the courts under Tammany Hall.—
Muhammad U. Faridi,
New York Daily News,
17 Aug. 2025
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The billion-dollar plan hoped to stamp out corruption and combat drug cartels.—
Miriam Waldvogel,
The Hill,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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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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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
Cite this Entry
“Degeneration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degeneration. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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