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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Recent Examples of degradation
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
This is due to a degradation of cartilage (the squishy material that protects the ends of the bones) and a reduction in synovial fluid – which lubricates the joints.
—Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025
The balloons validate the forecasts, which ensures accuracy, and without them the offices already are seeing degradation in forecasts, Spinrad said.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
There are a host of obstacles to consider, including environmental degradation, human rights violations, geopolitical tensions and the ever-present specter of resource scarcity.
—Sahit Muja, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Amy Paturel, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
This is due to a degradation of cartilage (the squishy material that protects the ends of the bones) and a reduction in synovial fluid – which lubricates the joints.
—Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025
The balloons validate the forecasts, which ensures accuracy, and without them the offices already are seeing degradation in forecasts, Spinrad said.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
There are a host of obstacles to consider, including environmental degradation, human rights violations, geopolitical tensions and the ever-present specter of resource scarcity.
—Sahit Muja, Forbes.com, 16 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 14 May. 2025.
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