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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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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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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Recent Examples of degeneration
Importantly, Alan explained that methylene blue can cross from the bloodstream into the brain—a key factor for effectively treating cognitive diseases related to brain cell degeneration.
—
Cathy Nelson, Health, 19 Feb. 2025
Hippocampal volume preservation: Exercise has been shown to prevent hippocampal atrophy (degeneration or shrinkage) and improve spatial memory, the physician said.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
Changes in metabolism, appetite, and mobility could signal underlying brain degeneration.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 12 Feb. 2025
While chubby cats may look cute, obesity can shorten their life and expose them to elevated risks of cancer, diabetes mellitus, heart disease and hypertension, osteoarthritis and faster degeneration of affected joints, urinary bladder stones, and anesthetic complications.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for degeneration
Cathy Nelson, Health, 19 Feb. 2025
Hippocampal volume preservation: Exercise has been shown to prevent hippocampal atrophy (degeneration or shrinkage) and improve spatial memory, the physician said.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
Changes in metabolism, appetite, and mobility could signal underlying brain degeneration.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 12 Feb. 2025
While chubby cats may look cute, obesity can shorten their life and expose them to elevated risks of cancer, diabetes mellitus, heart disease and hypertension, osteoarthritis and faster degeneration of affected joints, urinary bladder stones, and anesthetic complications.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for degeneration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degeneration
Noun
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As leaders in the industry who have spent countless hours underground repairing failing gas lines, our licensed gas contractors have witnessed firsthand the deterioration of our state’s natural gas infrastructure.—
Harley Flack,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Apr. 2025
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Not spending enough time in the two deep stages of slumber might speed up the deterioration of parts of the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease, a new study found.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Sharon Perez, senior business development manager at Lenzing Group, noted that there are three potential ways to design with a product’s end of life in mind: circularity, degradation and durability.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
1 Apr. 2025
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Many countries and regions are recognizing the importance of integrating conservation principles into their agricultural practices, particularly in areas facing significant agricultural challenges due to climate change, soil degradation, and resource scarcity.—
Ellen Choi,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Apparel exports from Turkey saw a decline of 6 percent in January-February 2025, and a drop of 4.47 percent year-on-year in 2024, with the last month of the year falling almost 11 percent.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Apr. 2025
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Walmart's stock has experienced a notable decline amid a nationwide boycott and broader market volatility.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Since then, the levels have been adjusted to a maximum of 0.7 ppm or 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water, which is considered optimal for preventing tooth decay.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
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Weak or absent pulse Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia Some people with severe arterial blockages develop chronic limb-threatening ischemia (insufficient blood flow), which can cause severe, constant pain, gangrene (tissue decay), and even limb loss (amputation).—
Alicen Nelson MD,
Verywell Health,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Confidential finds a powerful political lobbyist shot to death, his apparent suicide highlighting a bizarre turn in Ohio’s largest public corruption case accidentaly uncovered by federal investigators that was nearly concealed by loose super PAC campaign financing rules.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2025
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In short, the Chicago area has a history of red-light camera corruption.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In contrast, during 2016-16 the lunar declination varied from only 18.5 degrees north to 18.5 degrees south.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
7 Feb. 2025
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Red and declinations to rust and burgundy at Ferragamo and Bottega Veneta.—
WWD,
WWD,
3 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Degeneration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degeneration. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
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