degradation

noun

deg·​ra·​da·​tion ˌde-grə-ˈdā-shən 

1

: the act or process of degrading

environmental degradation

the gradual degradation of organic matter

… nothing infuriates the female students more than the degradation of women that is associated with male sports …

—Scott Stossel

suffer the degradations of poverty and abuse

2

a

: decline to a low, destitute, or demoralized state

shocked by the hopeless degradation of the "poor whites"

—Edith Wharton

Some houses are found spotless, others in a wretched degradation …

—Paul Reyes

b

: moral or intellectual decadence : degeneration

educated him in the bestiality and degradation that war brings

—Drew Middleton

degradative

ˈde-grə-ˌdā-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• decadence
• declension
• declination
• decline
• degeneracy
• degeneration
• dégringolade
• descent
• deterioration
• devolution
• downfall
• downgrade
• ebb
• eclipse
• fall

Examples of degradation in a Sentence

English teachers bemoaning the degradation of the language that e-mail and instant messaging have allegedly brought about.

the belief that moral degradation is an unmistakable sign of a nation in decline

Recent Examples on the Web

Likewise, Arnow’s poignant and original performance—refined in its awkwardness, exalted in its degradation, touched with grace in its rude self-presentation—is a double masterwork of acting and directing. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2024

Habitat degradation, invasive species, infectious diseases and climate change have put many native animals in jeopardy and given Australia one of the worst rates of species loss in the world. —Emily Anthes Chang W. Lee, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see degrade

First Known Use

circa 1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

degradation

noun

deg·​ra·​da·​tion ˌdeg-rə-ˈdā-shən 

1

a

: a reduction in rank, dignity, or standing

b

: removal from office

2

: loss of honor or reputation

3

: degeneration sense 1, deterioration

Medical Definition

degradation

noun

deg·​ra·​da·​tion ˌdeg-rə-ˈdā-shən 

: change of a chemical compound to a less complex compound

degradative

ˈdeg-rə-ˌdāt-iv 

adjective