Synonyms of degradation

degradation

noun

ˌde-grə-ˈdā-shən 

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

• deterioration
• decline
• declination
• descent
• decadence
• downfall
• degeneration
• destruction
• decrease
• degeneracy
• reduction
• ebb
• devolution
• eclipse
• fall
• decay
• downgrade
• decomposition
• dissolution
• declension
• disintegration
• dégringolade
• loss
• drop
• breakup
• debasement
• dark age
• sunset
• rotting
• spoiling
• crumbling
• nadir
• abasement
• dip
• depreciation
• diminution
• shrinkage
• ruination
• slump
• decimation
• lessening
• demolition
• diminishment
• lowering
• havoc
• ruin
• deflation
• downturn
• decrement
• sag
• falloff
• desolation
• abatement
• demolishment
• drop-off
• slip
• downtrend
• downslide
• de-escalation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• development
• growth
• evolution
• rise
• advancement
• ascent
• restoration
• flowering
• renewal
• upswing
• revitalization
• increase
• enhancement
• addition
• gain
• augmentation
• increment
• blossoming
• flourishing
• accretion
• supplement
• boost
• accrual
• raise
• heightening
• addendum

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

• corruption
• corruptness
• dissoluteness
• debasement
• dissipation
• degeneracy
• degeneration
• abjection
• demoralization
• turpitude
• perversion
• decadence
• sinfulness
• depravity
• decadency
• degenerateness
• debauchery
• libertinism
• rakishness
• evil
• dissipatedness
• pervertedness
• libertinage
• immorality
• villainy
• wickedness
• squalor
• rot
• filth
• gangrene

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• virtue
• morality
• goodness
• righteousness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of degradation

Regime Change reads like an account of the crescendo and operatic downfall of Trump; even the accumulation of details about his bathroom preferences somehow feels like a final degradation. — Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

In addition, since vitamin C is prone to degradation by heat and oxygen, it is often used as an indicator of overall quality deterioration during post-processing and handling. — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 2 July 2026

This mainly affected high-frequency radio users across parts of North America who may have experienced temporary signal degradation or brief communication outages while the flare was at its strongest. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 1 July 2026

Given the high temperatures Red Bull Ring experienced as the heat wave settled across Europe, Hamilton felt the tire degradation would be high. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 1 July 2026