degenerate 1 of 3

adjective

di-ˈjen-rət How to pronounce degenerate (audio)
Definition of degeneratenext
1
as in weak
having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit a degenerate society in which people had no sense of being citizens, only consumers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards a movie about a gang of degenerate drug dealers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

degenerate

2 of 3

noun

di-ˈjen-rət How to pronounce degenerate (audio)
as in pervert
a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard a degenerate who is uninterested in anything but his own gratification

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

degenerate

3 of 3

verb

di-ˈje-nə-ˌrāt How to pronounce degenerate (audio)
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value over the years the community-minded organization degenerated into a club for loafers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective degenerate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of degenerate are corrupt, iniquitous, nefarious, vicious, and villainous. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

When would corrupt be a good substitute for degenerate?

While the synonyms corrupt and degenerate are close in meaning, corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

When is iniquitous a more appropriate choice than degenerate?

The synonyms iniquitous and degenerate are sometimes interchangeable, but iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

Where would nefarious be a reasonable alternative to degenerate?

The words nefarious and degenerate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

In what contexts can vicious take the place of degenerate?

In some situations, the words vicious and degenerate are roughly equivalent. However, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

When could villainous be used to replace degenerate?

The meanings of villainous and degenerate largely overlap; however, villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of degenerate
Adjective
Or have his years in finance scrambled his brain and turned him into a degenerate gambler, both at the office and outside it? — Zachary Siegel, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2024 The result is a book laden with put-downs of the English working class, who are cast in eugenicist terms as a degenerate race. — Lennard J. Davis, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2024
Noun
When valuable treasure is discovered off the coast of Korea, the country’s biggest degenerates come crawling out of the woodwork in the hope of striking it big. — Patrick Frater, Variety, 15 Apr. 2024 When every game gets presented as a point spread, and when every shot becomes merely an input in a degenerate’s parlay math, the game feels cheapened. — Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2024
Verb
Rafael eventually degenerated into a remnant low on Nov. 10, with its circulation opening into a trough the following day. — Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024 After four years of age, the limited functional retinal tissue degenerates, leading to total and irreversible blindness. — Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for degenerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degenerate
  1. weak
  2. corrupt
  3. pervert
  4. deteriorate
  5. degraded
  6. descend
  7. decadent
  8. sick
Adjective
  • Similarly, 5GHz signals were strong in the central areas but became weaker in the garage, the den, and the kitchen area.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 11 Mar. 2025
  • As the market sell-off gains steam, a handful of quality stocks could outperform and buck the broader weak trend for equities, according to Bernstein.
    — Brian Evans, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • Is that the median voter assumes everyone is corrupt already?
    — Bluesky Social, Bluesky Social, 11 Mar. 2025
  • While Democrats have tried to put human faces on the ranks of the federal employees who have been abruptly fired, inviting some to sit in the gallery at the president's speech to Congress, Trump has portrayed the workforce with a broad brush as bloated, unproductive and even corrupt.
    — Susan Page, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of corrupt
Noun
  • The days of pandering to perverts and woke PFCs are over.
    — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
  • Another of the girls called Essex a pervert, which prompted their mother to ask more questions.
    — Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
Definition of pervert
Verb
  • Its effects weren’t confined to California—air quality deteriorated in neighboring states, and supply chain disruptions followed.
    — Joel Carboni, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Despite overcoming the initial infection, Thomas’ condition deteriorated.
    — Amy McGorry, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of deteriorate
Adjective
  • Meier is among the authors of a WWF report that outlines steps towards restoring, conserving, and sustainably managing grasslands, and urges for them to be included in global UN targets aiming to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems and 30% of terrestrial and aquatic environments by 2030.
    — Jacopo Prisco, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Tragically, the Chesapeake remains significantly degraded and its overall water quality has improved only marginally after 41 years.
    — Gerald Winegrad, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2025
Definition of degraded
Verb
  • What begins as a refuge quickly descends into a nightmare as the siblings uncover dark cult practices and confront an ancient evil lurking beneath the surface.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Last month, the press conference for the upcoming bout previously descended into a bit of chaos when Eubank Jr produced an egg from his pocket and hit his British rival across the cheek with his left hand – he was later fined £100,000 for this outburst.
    — Caroline Frost, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of descend
Adjective
  • Intense floral aromas of roses and violets entwine with decadent chocolate.
    — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The floral-meets-woody aroma is subtly decadent and also smells powerfully sophisticated.
    — Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of decadent
Adjective
  • Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock alum Tracy Morgan caused a temporary delay at Monday night's NBA game between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat after the actor and comedian got sick in his courtside seat during the second half, and later sharing an update on his condition from a hospital bed.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Nearly 95 people got sick during a norovirus outbreak on a Holland America Line ship, the cruise line’s fourth this year.
    — Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of sick

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Cite this Entry

“Degenerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degenerate. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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