1
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
the organization's degeneration from a movement for political reform to just another political party
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weakening
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
the troubling degeneration of his memory since he reached middle age
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
the general degeneration that characterized so many old mining towns, which had only drinking and gambling for entertainment
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degeneration
Muscle degeneration occurs when one of those genes is mutated (a change in DNA sequence).
—
Laura Campedelli, Verywell Health, 30 July 2024
Adkins, of Georgia, cared for her mother for a decade after her mom was diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration dementia.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Histological examination showed no signs of retinal degeneration, even in individuals likely several hundreds of years old.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Moral degeneration accompanies the physical; lying is one of the outstanding characteristics, probably due to lack of moral equilibrium.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degeneration
Laura Campedelli, Verywell Health, 30 July 2024
Adkins, of Georgia, cared for her mother for a decade after her mom was diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration dementia.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Histological examination showed no signs of retinal degeneration, even in individuals likely several hundreds of years old.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Moral degeneration accompanies the physical; lying is one of the outstanding characteristics, probably due to lack of moral equilibrium.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degeneration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degeneration
Noun
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With deterioration continuing, a 2014 study recommended the entire span be replaced.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
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Corrosion is one of the leading causes of conventional RC infrastructure deterioration, often requiring extensive repairs and maintenance.—
Carol Cain,
Freep.com,
3 July 2025
Noun
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In 2023, the U.S. Geological Survey reported that projected coral reef degradation in Florida could increase the coastal flood risk to more than 7,300 people at the cost of $823.6 million annually.—
Rafe Pomerance,
Sun Sentinel,
6 July 2025
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The administration cited the degradation of the current FBI complex as a reason for the move.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
1 July 2025
Noun
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The condition leads to a decline in the ability to independently function, think and reason.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
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Policy journals brim with articles about American decline and the advent of multipolarity.—
Hal Brands,
Twin Cities,
13 July 2025
Noun
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It was originally added to water systems to combat tooth decay but more recently has been scrutinized by critics citing studies that elevated exposure could reduce IQ levels in children.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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In a world where sugar consumption continues to rise, dentists are struggling to keep up with demand; by some estimates, nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide are now struggling with oral diseases and tooth decay.—
David Prosser,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Ken Paxton, who has served in his current role since 2015, was impeached in 2023 but later acquitted and faced allegations of corruption and taking part in an extramarital affair.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
11 July 2025
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The announcement comes nearly two years after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was acquitted on all 16 articles of impeachment related to allegations of corruption and abuse of office.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 July 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
“Degeneration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degeneration. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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