1
as in degradation
a change to a lower state or level
the sad degeneracy of the old neighborhood into a slum
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in corruption
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
the degeneracy of the family into a gang of petty thieves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degeneracy
Eric Swalwell, a prominent Democratic House member and a front-runner in the race for California governor, had his political career blown up by allegations of degeneracy and abject stupidity.
—
Michelle Cottle,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
One night, Earnshaw goes out for his evening’s gambling and degeneracy and returns the next morning with a new resident for the household.
—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
This uncertainty, called mass–distance degeneracy, meant that earlier detections could not rule out heavier objects such as brown dwarfs.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Jan. 2026
Reformers seized on this as both a public-health and a moral crisis; for many Progressives, dirt itself was a sign of degeneracy.
—
Jacob Beckert,
The Atlantic,
13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degeneracy
Michelle Cottle,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
One night, Earnshaw goes out for his evening’s gambling and degeneracy and returns the next morning with a new resident for the household.
—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
This uncertainty, called mass–distance degeneracy, meant that earlier detections could not rule out heavier objects such as brown dwarfs.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Jan. 2026
Reformers seized on this as both a public-health and a moral crisis; for many Progressives, dirt itself was a sign of degeneracy.
—
Jacob Beckert,
The Atlantic,
13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degeneracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degeneracy
Noun
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What bothers me is the foot-dragging, the spinning in circles, the slow degradation of these characters into annoying stereotypes.
-
Over time, this can increase electrical resistance, generate excess heat, and accelerate battery degradation.
Noun
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The electoral authority based the candidate bans on a law against corrupt practices that in previous years saw some parliamentary seats bought with money linked to drug trafficking, corruption and tax evasion.
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Seems like far too many appreciate this type of corruption, and making money on SM for lies, is precisely that.
Noun
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But nothing competes with the painful deterioration of her sight after contracting scarlet fever.
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In addition, city officials can now require owners to install security measures to help protect vacant buildings from further deterioration or trespassing.
Noun
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The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases.
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Federal regulations require special counsels to provide the attorney general with a report that explain prosecution or declination decisions once their work is concluded.
Noun
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Surveys showing a decline in Americans who see democracy as important.
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This decision stems from chronic staffing shortages, crumbling infrastructure, budget constraints, and a substantial decline in the federal inmate population, which peaked in 2013 and has since fallen by nearly 30%.
Noun
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His mother was of European descent and his father was a Cantonese opera star who was on tour in the city, affording his son birthright citizenship.
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Stokesbury said the climber's descent was a long slide down the steep snow slope rather than a straight free fall, with the terrain gradually becoming less steep farther down the mountain.
Noun
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The cake is crowned with a layer of thick, buttery, strawberry frosting, adding decadence to this strawberry dessert that transcends seasons.
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Arguably the defining crime film of a decade brimming with decadence, Scarface is excessive in every way, which only enhances its appeal.
Cite this Entry
“Degeneracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degeneracy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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