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 MiddletonExamples 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
These trade shifts are causing environmental degradation.
—Simi Thambi, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Violence, corruption and environmental degradation have saturated the avocado trade there, causing the U.S. to briefly stop imports and senators to agitate for action by the federal government.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
For some, the degradation is so extreme that survival feels like betrayal.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
If products carried their true cost, including environmental degradation and labor exploitation, many of today’s problems could be addressed more effectively.
—Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Simi Thambi, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Violence, corruption and environmental degradation have saturated the avocado trade there, causing the U.S. to briefly stop imports and senators to agitate for action by the federal government.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
For some, the degradation is so extreme that survival feels like betrayal.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
If products carried their true cost, including environmental degradation and labor exploitation, many of today’s problems could be addressed more effectively.
—Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Cite this Entry
“Degradation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/degradation. Accessed 3 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share