degenerate 1 of 3

adjective

di-ˈjen-rət How to pronounce degenerate (audio)
Definition of degeneratenext
1
as in weak
having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit a degenerate society in which people had no sense of being citizens, only consumers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards a movie about a gang of degenerate drug dealers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

degenerate

2 of 3

noun

di-ˈjen-rət How to pronounce degenerate (audio)
as in pervert
a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard a degenerate who is uninterested in anything but his own gratification

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

degenerate

3 of 3

verb

di-ˈje-nə-ˌrāt How to pronounce degenerate (audio)
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value over the years the community-minded organization degenerated into a club for loafers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective degenerate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of degenerate are corrupt, iniquitous, nefarious, vicious, and villainous. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

When would corrupt be a good substitute for degenerate?

While the synonyms corrupt and degenerate are close in meaning, corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

When is iniquitous a more appropriate choice than degenerate?

The synonyms iniquitous and degenerate are sometimes interchangeable, but iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

Where would nefarious be a reasonable alternative to degenerate?

The words nefarious and degenerate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

In what contexts can vicious take the place of degenerate?

In some situations, the words vicious and degenerate are roughly equivalent. However, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

When could villainous be used to replace degenerate?

The meanings of villainous and degenerate largely overlap; however, villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

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 degenerate
Adjective
In two minutes of ranting and raving about his degenerate son’s twenty-six-thousand-dollar dinner bill, Reiner gave an indelible comedic performance destined to be quoted for years to come. —Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025 All Quiet on the Western Front and Conclave director Edward Berger is exploring another chill, very normal setting with a somewhat surreal thriller starring Colin Farrell as a degenerate gambler who is making a last-ditch effort to get out of the mountain of debt he’s made for himself. —Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2025
Noun
Created by Rob Mac (formerly McElhenney, who also plays the character Mac), the Emmy-deserving series premiered 20 years ago on Aug. 4, 2005, introducing the world to a gang of morally bankrupt degenerates running the least successful bar in Philly, Paddy's Pub. —James Mercadante, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2025 Novak: The fact that this group of degenerates, these bloodsucking, mass-murdering vampires and wannabe vampires, [could be] so lovable is amazing. —Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
Verb
Our national political and cultural discourse, especially online, has degenerated into a permanent fever dream. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025 Scientists have hailed the benefits of exercising early in life to lower the risk of your brain degenerating later. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for degenerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degenerate
  1. weak
  2. corrupt
  3. pervert
  4. deteriorate
  5. decayed
  6. degraded
  7. descend
  8. decadent
Adjective
  • Bangladesh’s woes have not improved much since Hasina’s ouster, with high inflation and a weak taka currency combining to erode real incomes for ordinary households.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Pinterest posted disappointing fourth-quarter results and gave weak guidance for first-quarter sales.
    — Liz Napolitano,Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • There, the political and commercial elites don’t shy away from murder to defend potentially corrupt schemes.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Harrowing revelations about corrupt leaders, child rape and grooming come to the fore, and a stop-clock on the back wall counts down the minutes and seconds until the play’s most paralyzing realization.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of corrupt
Noun
  • Then, about refocusing our attention on the challenges ahead, like pervert incentives and algorithms that aren’t in line with human flourishing.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Also, what many now interpret as Kubrick’s exposé of elite perverts was, in fact, mostly Schnitzler’s doing.
    — Lane Brown, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
Definition of pervert
Verb
  • Because of deteriorating conditions, operations were transitioned to a defensive strategy, Marceau said.
    — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Working conditions, meanwhile, have continued to deteriorate as the demands on workers increase.
    — Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of deteriorate
Adjective
  • Some are sandy; others are rich in organic matter formed from centuries of decayed plants.
    — Dinesh Phuyal, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Of the 20 dead cats, eight were too decayed for a necropsy exam, which determines the cause of death of a dead animal and any associated diseases or injuries.
    — Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Aug. 2025
Definition of decayed
Adjective
  • The patriarch’s rage at feeling degraded in America turns the home into a war zone.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
  • The company acknowledges that direct recycling will not replace chemical methods entirely, particularly for mixed or degraded end-of-life batteries.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of degraded
Verb
  • This time last year, the Davis Cup descended into farce and acrimony when Zizou Bergs of Belgium collided with Chile’s Cristian Garín at a changeover and set off a chain of events that led to Garín losing the match after being timed out.
    — James Hansen, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • This weekend, Super Bowl crowds are descending on San Francisco for the first time in ten years—and the timing couldn’t be more apt.
    — Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of descend
Adjective
  • These mini cakes are totally decadent and make quite the impression for a dinner party.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The neighborhood/area Intimate and crowded, decadent and sophisticated, Chiado is the best neighborhood to understand why everybody falls in love with Lisbon.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of decadent

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degeneracy
degenerate
degenerated
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Cite this Entry

“Degenerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degenerate. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of degenerate for Spanish Speakers

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