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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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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Recent Examples of degradation
Worldwide, the animals and their eggs face the threat of poaching, accidental catching by fishermen and habitat degradation as a result of climate change, pollution and other factors.
—
Alana Wise, NPR, 6 June 2025
The same goes for Brenda Blethyn, so effortlessly affecting as a wife and mother reduced to becoming a client to the welfare state, a degradation that Colleen just can’t begin to tolerate.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 June 2025
Hailstones can also cause punctures, tears, fractures, bruises and the more common displacement of granules, which can expose asphalt shingles to the sun’s rays and ultraviolet degradation.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
These interactions take place in coastal communities, which are susceptible to degradation over time because of rising sea levels and other environmental conditions.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Alana Wise, NPR, 6 June 2025
The same goes for Brenda Blethyn, so effortlessly affecting as a wife and mother reduced to becoming a client to the welfare state, a degradation that Colleen just can’t begin to tolerate.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 June 2025
Hailstones can also cause punctures, tears, fractures, bruises and the more common displacement of granules, which can expose asphalt shingles to the sun’s rays and ultraviolet degradation.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
These interactions take place in coastal communities, which are susceptible to degradation over time because of rising sea levels and other environmental conditions.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degradation
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
-
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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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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In the early two-thousands, he was found to have misrepresented himself as a prosecutor to help a journalist investigate a mayor suspected of corruption; he was accused of having an extramarital affair; his son reportedly posted misogynistic comments online.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
4 June 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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
“Degradation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degradation. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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