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
This approach not only benefits the environment by reducing chemical runoff and soil degradation but also yields cleaner cannabis products.
—
Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2025
The result is overuse and environmental degradation, such as smog, water pollution, and, of course, climate change.
—Brian Deese, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
With reduced visibility, poor air quality and hazardous driving conditions, large-scale dust storms like this reflect ongoing challenges posed by drought and land degradation in arid regions.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Adding to silk’s suitability as a biomedical material, scientists can also manipulate their silk solutions, modifying their shape and structure and adding substances to their mix to speed up or slow down silk’s degradation.
—Amy Paturel, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2025
The result is overuse and environmental degradation, such as smog, water pollution, and, of course, climate change.
—Brian Deese, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
With reduced visibility, poor air quality and hazardous driving conditions, large-scale dust storms like this reflect ongoing challenges posed by drought and land degradation in arid regions.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Adding to silk’s suitability as a biomedical material, scientists can also manipulate their silk solutions, modifying their shape and structure and adding substances to their mix to speed up or slow down silk’s degradation.
—Amy Paturel, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degradation
Noun
-
From the start, the idea was to revitalize Eagle Crest Plaza, which became blighted due to years of neglect and deterioration by rainwater detention.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2025
-
Conversely, Oklahoma and Iowa exhibited the fastest doubling of death rates after age 35—a sign of more rapid health deterioration among their populations.—
Jordan King
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
The Boston City Council will take up a resolution this week that calls for disgraced Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson’s removal from the body in the wake of her guilty plea to two federal corruption charges tied to a City Hall kickback scheme.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
13 May 2025
-
However, rumors swirled about his luxury lifestyle and possible corruption and eventually led to federal charges in 2007.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
White House spokesperson Kush Desai celebrated the decline in a statement Tuesday touting other news from the CPI report which also showed cooling inflation.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
-
Harris and the White House also had to field frequent questions about Biden's cognitive abilities, as well as allegations that the administration intentionally hid the extent of the former president's decline from the American public during primary season.—
Anna Commander
Sonam Sheth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share