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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degradation
As Daniel notes, the longer first stint on the inverse tire strategy didn’t pay off to try and close the gap with a tire delta late on, as the race’s low tire degradation significantly reduced this possibility.
—
Luke Smith, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
This is, in part, about the degradation, devaluation, and replacement of writers.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
Soil degradation, water scarcity, and climate volatility have become immediate operational threats.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Yes, seed oils are more prone to oxidation (and, therefore, degradation and loss of nutritional value) than beef tallow or butter, says Berry.
—Lisa Niven-Phillips, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Luke Smith, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
This is, in part, about the degradation, devaluation, and replacement of writers.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
Soil degradation, water scarcity, and climate volatility have become immediate operational threats.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Yes, seed oils are more prone to oxidation (and, therefore, degradation and loss of nutritional value) than beef tallow or butter, says Berry.
—Lisa Niven-Phillips, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degradation
Noun
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This may further contribute to a deterioration in hard data and usher in an economic recession.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2025
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Urban trees have also been found to slow the deterioration of streets and reduce crime.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In practice, the memo explained, the reports should be scrubbed of references such as those to prison abuses, government corruption, and locking up dissidents without due process.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
1 May 2025
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That focus on wholesome foods, drug safety, and eliminating corruption in pharmaceuticals and the food industry has justifiably captured public enthusiasm.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But its sales in the Greater China region, including Hong Kong and Taiwan, fell slightly to $16 billion, about a 2% decline from the previous year.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
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American craft distilleries are facing some tough times, with the looming threat of tariffs, declines in sales, and established operations having to declare bankruptcy.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
1 May 2025
Noun
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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
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The sun's changing declination is what determines whether the sun's rays strike us at a low angle or more directly.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Degradation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degradation. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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