1
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
English teachers bemoaning the degradation of the language that e-mail and instant messaging have allegedly brought about
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in corruption
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
the belief that moral degradation is an unmistakable sign of a nation in decline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 degradation
The move was widely seen as an effort to reassure consumers that ultra-fast charging technology would not result in excessive long-term battery degradation.
—
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
But experts believe environmental degradation caused by climate change and human activity is contributing to its spread by allowing the rodents that transmit the virus to thrive in new areas.
—Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
The losers are the public who see the degradation of springs and other surface waters held by the state of Florida in public trust.
—Robert Knight, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
The issue with sending data over copper is that high transfer speeds and long distances result in integrity degradation.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
But experts believe environmental degradation caused by climate change and human activity is contributing to its spread by allowing the rodents that transmit the virus to thrive in new areas.
—Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
The losers are the public who see the degradation of springs and other surface waters held by the state of Florida in public trust.
—Robert Knight, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
The issue with sending data over copper is that high transfer speeds and long distances result in integrity degradation.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degradation
Noun
-
The following month, the Veterans Administration filed a report stating that the Nautilus Veterans Hospital was in a severe state of deterioration, mostly because of the dampness from the sea air, which caused the concrete’s steel rods to rust and give way.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
-
The switch in alliances has coincided with the rapid deterioration of the security situation in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
The Criminal Division will not allow foreign actors to exploit the American financial system and use it as a safe haven for the proceeds of their corruption.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
-
The vote on March 22 was marred by allegations of foreign influence and corruption.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Stubbornly high home-loan rates, a decline in the construction of new units, and economic angst are all keeping people and property developers from doing more deals, said Richard Green, director of the Lusk Center for Real Estate at USC.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
With the decline of legacy media, campaigns are increasingly turning to social media personalities like Washington to get their message out and humanize them to voters.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The Phillies, off to an even worse start at 9-19, relieved Rob Thomson of his managerial duties Tuesday, and with Cora’s declination, named bench coach Don Mattingly interim skipper.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases.—
Ken B. Morales,
ProPublica,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Dollar debasement Emmanuel Cau, head of European equity strategy at Barclays, expects the euro to extend recent gains against the dollar.—
Michael Considine,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Bakri’s face is impassive and exhausted during this casual debasement, his voice low, and his tone deadpan, as though Salim has been forced to do all this a million times before.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Degradation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degradation. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
