degeneracy
noun
de·gen·er·a·cy
di-ˈjen-rə-sē 
-ˈje-nə-,
dē-
plural degeneracies
1
: the state of being degenerate
2
: the process of becoming degenerate
3
: sexual perversion
4
: the coding of an amino acid by more than one codon
Synonyms
Examples of degeneracy in a Sentence
the sad degeneracy of the old neighborhood into a slum
the degeneracy of the family into a gang of petty thieves
Recent Examples on the Web
Their spinsterhood took on an ominous cast, their celibacy no longer evidence of pure, Christian love, but now suggestive of physical, emotional, and intellectual degeneracy.
—
Natalie Kinkade, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2024
America, Where the Dogs Don’t Bark and the Birds Don’t Sing
The Comte de Buffon's thirty-six volume Natural History claimed that America was a land of degeneracy.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
This is how pop stars validate the unconscionable — from selfishness to degeneracy and crime.
—Armond White, National Review, 15 Nov. 2023
But the shadow of degeneracy still looms large.
—WIRED, 21 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for degeneracy 
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Natalie Kinkade, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2024
America, Where the Dogs Don’t Bark and the Birds Don’t Sing
The Comte de Buffon's thirty-six volume Natural History claimed that America was a land of degeneracy.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
This is how pop stars validate the unconscionable — from selfishness to degeneracy and crime.
—Armond White, National Review, 15 Nov. 2023
But the shadow of degeneracy still looms large.
—WIRED, 21 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for degeneracy
Dictionary Entries Near degeneracy
Cite this Entry
“Degeneracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/degeneracy. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
degeneracy
noun
de·gen·er·a·cy
di-ˈjen-(ə-)rə-sē
plural degeneracies
: the state of being or process of becoming degenerate : degradation, debasement
Medical Definition
degeneracy
noun
de·gen·er·a·cy
di-ˈjen-(ə-)rə-sē
plural degeneracies
1
: the state of being degenerate
2
: the process of becoming degenerate
3
: sexual perversion
4
: the coding of an amino acid by more than one codon of the genetic code
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