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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degradation
Introduces Microplastics Many landscape coverings are fabricated using plastics that are susceptible to degradation.
—
Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 7 Mar. 2026
Data centers and chips that focus on AI place a lot more stress and accelerate degradation of chips because of how much more intensive AI computing is.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Instead, the shutdown may have only marked the beginning of what could be a lengthy process to erase decades of environmental degradation.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The picturesque valley has exploded in popularity on social media, dramatically increasing traffic, parking issues, and environmental degradation along that specific stretch of the coast.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 7 Mar. 2026
Data centers and chips that focus on AI place a lot more stress and accelerate degradation of chips because of how much more intensive AI computing is.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Instead, the shutdown may have only marked the beginning of what could be a lengthy process to erase decades of environmental degradation.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The picturesque valley has exploded in popularity on social media, dramatically increasing traffic, parking issues, and environmental degradation along that specific stretch of the coast.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degradation
Noun
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All the hallmarks of an economic collapse are there, including the gradual shutdown and deterioration of public services, shortages of basic goods, and major rises in the cost of living.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
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Beyond next week’s meeting, policymakers will need to be cognizant of balancing new inflation risks from the war in Iran with any signs of deterioration in the labor market.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Tisza is not particularly progressive, and its platform is generally considered center-right, eschewing cultural issues for a campaign laser-targeted on corruption in government.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
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Polls give Magyar's Tisza party a double-digit lead with Hungarians weary of years of corruption accusations, clashes with the EU and economic stagnation.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That makes the decline in checks alarming.—
Tony Plohetski,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
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The decline was driven by weaker profitability across several core businesses, particularly product transport and containerships, where profits fell sharply amid softer freight rates and rising vessel supply.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
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Of the 395 complaints the division received, 306 were resolved through determinations or declinations.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Investors who are particularly concerned about currency debasement or geopolitical instability — both of which have driven gold's price run in recent years — may also find the physical gold component meaningful.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
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Over and over, Colin takes stock of his own debasement.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Degradation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degradation. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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