degradation
noun
deg·ra·da·tion
ˌde-grə-ˈdā-shən 
1
: the act or process of degrading
environmental degradation
the gradual degradation of organic matter
… nothing infuriates the female students more than the degradation of women that is associated with male sports …—
Scott Stossel
Scott Stosselsuffer the degradations of poverty and abuse
2
a
: decline to a low, destitute, or demoralized state
shocked by the hopeless degradation of the "poor whites"—Edith Wharton
Edith WhartonSome houses are found spotless, others in a wretched degradation …—Paul Reyes
Paul Reyes
b
: moral or intellectual decadence : degeneration
educated him in the bestiality and degradation that war brings—Drew Middleton
Drew MiddletonSynonyms
Examples of degradation in a Sentence
English teachers bemoaning the degradation of the language that e-mail and instant messaging have allegedly brought about.
the belief that moral degradation is an unmistakable sign of a nation in decline
Recent Examples on the Web
Yet the devastation that Israel inflicted on Hezbollah last year, the general degradation of Iran’s militia network, and the failure of Tehran’s strategy of using Arab fighters as a forward defense against Israel and the U.S. were decisive.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2025
Users could still watch and download videos, but over time, this lack of updates could cause significant degradation of the app’s performance.
—Cherie Brooke Luo, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
In taking this action, the president will be fulfilling the wishes of tribal members and environmentalists who have fought for generations to protect these sacred Indigenous lands and their rich natural resources from industrialization, development and degradation.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Collectively, though, these decisions lead to massive environmental degradation.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for degradation 
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Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2025
Users could still watch and download videos, but over time, this lack of updates could cause significant degradation of the app’s performance.
—Cherie Brooke Luo, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
In taking this action, the president will be fulfilling the wishes of tribal members and environmentalists who have fought for generations to protect these sacred Indigenous lands and their rich natural resources from industrialization, development and degradation.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Collectively, though, these decisions lead to massive environmental degradation.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for degradation
Dictionary Entries Near degradation
Cite this Entry
“Degradation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/degradation. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
degradation
noun
deg·ra·da·tion
ˌdeg-rə-ˈdā-shən
1
a
: a reduction in rank, dignity, or standing
b
: removal from office
2
: loss of honor or reputation
Medical Definition
degradation
noun
deg·ra·da·tion
ˌdeg-rə-ˈdā-shən
: change of a chemical compound to a less complex compound
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