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
Grassland ecologists are concerned about the gradual degradation of grasslands due to lack of management and climate change and other changes to the environment, such as intensive modern agriculture, Wedin said.
—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Everything is at risk of losing its freshness over time due to material degradation, including sheets.
—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
17 June 2026
To the degradation inflicted by time and nature's tentacles were added NATO bombings.
—
Marzio G. Mian,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
An extra challenge for Hamilton and the rest of the F1 field on Sunday will be the high levels of tire degradation at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Everything is at risk of losing its freshness over time due to material degradation, including sheets.
—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
17 June 2026
To the degradation inflicted by time and nature's tentacles were added NATO bombings.
—
Marzio G. Mian,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
An extra challenge for Hamilton and the rest of the F1 field on Sunday will be the high levels of tire degradation at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degradation
Noun
-
The National Institute of Standards and Technology said long-term corrosion and the failure of multiple slab-to-column connections likely contributed to a progressive collapse after weeks of structural deterioration.
-
Heston is at his most gleefully cynical as Robert Thorn, a police detective who lives and works in a New York City decimated by environmental deterioration and dwindling resources.
Noun
-
The council made similar appointments when Patrick Cannon stepped down in 2014 after he was indicted on public corruption charges and in 2013 when Anthony Foxx left the city to become the federal secretary of transportation.
-
When self-interest matures into corruption, the machine begins to strain.
Noun
-
That window is shorter than most executives assume, as mental and physical declines often begin earlier than midlife, while the leader still feels fully capable and engaged.
-
The decline in energy prices is easing inflation concerns, which has helped push the 10-year Treasury yield down roughly 9 basis points.
Noun
-
As InvestorPlace noted in February 2026, the theory behind Bitcoin as a safe haven was never wrong on its own terms — currency debasement, de-dollarization, and geopolitical conflict are exactly the conditions the asset was designed to benefit from.
-
Bitcoin offers growth potential tied to adoption Like gold, Bitcoin is often viewed as a hedge against currency debasement because its supply is limited.
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.
-
The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases.
Cite this Entry
“Degradation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degradation. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
