Thesaurus

degeneration

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of degeneration

1 a change to a lower state or level

the organizationʼs degeneration from a movement for political reform to just another political party

Synonyms of degeneration

decadence, declension, declination, decline, degeneracy, degradation, dégringolade, descent, deterioration, devolution, downfall, downgrade, ebb, eclipse, fall

Words Related to degeneration

dark age, nadir, sunset

decay, rotting, spoiling

breakup, crumbling, decomposition, disintegration, dissolution

abasement, debasement

depreciation, lessening

decimation, demolishment, demolition, desolation, destruction, havoc, ruin, ruination

abatement, decrease, decrement, de-escalation, deflation, diminishment, diminution, dip, downslide, downtrend, downturn, drop, drop-off, falloff, loss, lowering, reduction, sag, shrinkage, slip, slump

Near Antonyms of degeneration

advancement, development, evolution, growth

blossoming, flourishing, flowering

renewal, restoration, revitalization

accretion, accrual, addendum, addition, augmentation, boost, enhancement, gain, increase, increment, raise, supplement

Antonyms of degeneration

ascent, rise, upswing

2 a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body

the troubling degeneration of his memory since he reached middle age

Synonyms of degeneration

debilitation, decay, decaying, declension, decline, descent, deterioration, ebbing, enfeeblement, weakening

Words Related to degeneration

drooping, flagging, limping

regression, relapse, setback

Near Antonyms of degeneration

invigoration, strengthening

rejuvenation, rejuvenescence

Antonyms of degeneration

comeback, improvement, rally, recovery, recuperation, rehabilitation, revitalization, snapback

3 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

Synonyms of degeneration

abjection, corruption, corruptness, debasement, debauchery, decadence, decadency, degeneracy, degenerateness, degradation, demoralization, depravity, dissipatedness, dissipation, dissoluteness, libertinage, libertinism, perversion, pervertedness, rakishness, turpitude

Words Related to degeneration

evil, immorality, sinfulness, villainy, wickedness

filth, gangrene, rot, squalor

Near Antonyms of degeneration

goodness, morality, righteousness, virtue

Synonym Discussion of degeneration

deterioration, degeneration, decadence, decline mean the falling from a higher to a lower level in quality, character, or vitality. deterioration implies generally the impairment of value or usefulness.

- the deterioration of the house through neglect

degeneration stresses physical, intellectual, or especially moral retrogression.

- the degeneration of their youthful idealism into cynicism

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

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

Learn More about degeneration

See words that rhyme with degeneration Dictionary: Definition of degeneration Medical Dictionary: Definition of degeneration Spanish Central: Translation of degeneration Nglish: Translation of degeneration for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of degeneration for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up degeneration? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

habiliment

characteristic trappings or dress

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games