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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degradation
Fossil fuels remain the primary driver of global warming and ecosystem degradation, creating material risks to food systems, public health, infrastructure, and national economies.
—
Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
Before 1900, the degradation of water quality and habitat, human encroachment and unregulated harvest led to a 75% decline in North American otter populations.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
With worsening climate change plus habitat degradation, pollution and other human influences, maintaining populations is likely going to be an uphill battle.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 20 Jan. 2026
Its inorganic nature also provides greater stability, reducing the risk of long-term degradation.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
Before 1900, the degradation of water quality and habitat, human encroachment and unregulated harvest led to a 75% decline in North American otter populations.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
With worsening climate change plus habitat degradation, pollution and other human influences, maintaining populations is likely going to be an uphill battle.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 20 Jan. 2026
Its inorganic nature also provides greater stability, reducing the risk of long-term degradation.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degradation
Noun
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Cleaning Products And Chemicals Paint, fertilizer, weed killer, pool cleaners, and other temperature-sensitive chemicals should be brought indoors for the winter to prevent freezing and deterioration.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
27 Jan. 2026
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Motorists traveling across the area this morning, including along I-85 and I-77 through Charlotte metro and vicinity, should be prepared for sudden deterioration in visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But health policy experts have warned the new strategy carries risks for corruption and missing the most vulnerable people.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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Under Erdoğan’s orders, prosecutors used charges of corruption, bribery, and support for terrorism to arrest Istanbul’s mayor and more than 100 other administrators of the Istanbul municipality.—
Kaya Genç,
The Dial,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Mixing and juxtaposing voices, lingos, and tones, [Dylan] traces the decline of America over the trajectory of his own lifetime through the kaleidoscope of the Kennedy assassination.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Despite the beat, total revenue fell 3 percent year over year, marking the company’s first annual decline.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Nachmanoff pressed the Justice Department over whether a formal declination memo deciding against charges for Comey exists.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
19 Nov. 2025
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McLaughlin characterized the Fullerton officer’s response as a declination to help.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Oc Register,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Gold in particular has been buoyed by a mix of geopolitical tensions, fiscal uncertainty and concerns over currency debasement, forces that many believe remain firmly in place.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
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The debasement trade has gained momentum on speculation that US authorities might be willing to work with their Japanese counterparts to support the yen — and thereby are open to a weaker greenback.—
Marcus Wong,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Degradation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degradation. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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