1
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
the organization's degeneration from a movement for political reform to just another political party
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weakening
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
the troubling degeneration of his memory since he reached middle age
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3
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
the general degeneration that characterized so many old mining towns, which had only drinking and gambling for entertainment
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degeneration
Adkins, of Georgia, cared for her mother for a decade after her mom was diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration dementia.
—
Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Histological examination showed no signs of retinal degeneration, even in individuals likely several hundreds of years old.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Moral degeneration accompanies the physical; lying is one of the outstanding characteristics, probably due to lack of moral equilibrium.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
These abnormal build-ups disrupt the function of brain cells, and lead to the degeneration and ultimately death of the neurons that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is involved in movement, memory and motivation.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degeneration
Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Histological examination showed no signs of retinal degeneration, even in individuals likely several hundreds of years old.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Moral degeneration accompanies the physical; lying is one of the outstanding characteristics, probably due to lack of moral equilibrium.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
These abnormal build-ups disrupt the function of brain cells, and lead to the degeneration and ultimately death of the neurons that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is involved in movement, memory and motivation.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degeneration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degeneration
Noun
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They are then transported to the Berkhamsted conservation center, where their condition is examined for deterioration.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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Nationwide, the ramifications of deportation for these key citizens will affect all of us, which can lead to deterioration of our healthcare system, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, home health aides, etc.—
Rachel Blumberg,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2025
Noun
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In regions affected by conflict, natural disasters or climate degradation, these irreplaceable sites and items are in jeopardy.—
Sattie Persaud,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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Both research teams documented severe performance degradation on problems requiring extended systematic reasoning.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 June 2025
Noun
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Russell Reynolds' Global CEO Turnover Index reports that the average CEO tenure dropped from 8.1 years in Q1 2024 to 6.8 years in Q1 2025, marking the sharpest decline in recent years.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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The decline in shipping has broader ripple effects on L.A.’s logistics economy.—
Caroline Petrow-Cohen,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
Noun
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Fluoride is under increasingly intense fire despite its dramatic ability to prevent tooth decay.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
30 May 2025
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Meanwhile, about 40% of US children had access to optimal fluoride levels that effectively prevent tooth decay – between 0.6 and 1.5 milligrams per liter – while about 46% had access to even lower levels.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
Noun
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The film's themes of corruption and the brave whistleblowers who expose it feel particularly apt in this current moment.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
5 June 2025
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Hochul chose him after his predecessor, Benjamin Brian, resigned amid charges of corruption, which were eventually dropped.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Where corporate criminal investigations resolve without filing any criminal charges (through a declination or deferred prosecution agreement), companies should expect victims to still voice their views loudly to the Justice Department and beyond.—
Lisa Zornberg,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Degeneration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degeneration. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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