DEGENERACY Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

degeneracy

noun

di-ˈjen-rə-sē

Definition of degeneracy

as in degradation

a change to a lower state or level the sad degeneracy of the old neighborhood into a slum

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in corruption

a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior the degeneracy of the family into a gang of petty thieves

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 degeneracy Eric Swalwell, a prominent Democratic House member and a front-runner in the race for California governor, had his political career blown up by allegations of degeneracy and abject stupidity. — Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026 One night, Earnshaw goes out for his evening’s gambling and degeneracy and returns the next morning with a new resident for the household. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026 This uncertainty, called mass–distance degeneracy, meant that earlier detections could not rule out heavier objects such as brown dwarfs. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 Jan. 2026 Reformers seized on this as both a public-health and a moral crisis; for many Progressives, dirt itself was a sign of degeneracy. — Jacob Beckert, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for degeneracy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for degeneracy

Noun

The species’ coastal habitats, such as mangroves and reefs, have also suffered loss and degradation due to urban development and climate change.

— Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
There is no warping, no heat distortion and no structural degradation.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of degradation

Noun

Democrats avoid division The Democrats’ corruption talk of 2026 checks all of these boxes.

— Robert Boatright, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
The limited testimony that led to the grand jury’s decision not to bring criminal charges reveals a larger culture of secrecy and corruption in Tallahassee, said José Javier Rodríguez, the Democrat running to unseat Uthmeier in November.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of corruption

Noun

The City is aware of deterioration to the pavers surrounding the memorial related to the seawall conditions in this section of the Riverwalk.

— Bri Buckley, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
The deterioration in DeepMind’s talent flows coincided with the lab tightening its publication rules, Hurd said, something that Zeki researchers say may have weakened one of the lab’s most important draws for research-minded staff.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of deterioration

Noun

The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases.

— Ken B. Morales, ProPublica, 31 Mar. 2026
Federal regulations require special counsels to provide the attorney general with a report that explain prosecution or declination decisions once their work is concluded.

— Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026

Definition of declination

Noun

That rapid decline makes the question of how coach Dan Campbell and the team rebound one of the most interesting in the entire league.

— NBC Sports, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
The local enrollment declines are mostly concentrated in local districts’ elementary schools.

— Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of decline

Noun

The first prince of Norwegian descent born in 567 years, his birth held special significance for the young Norwegian monarchy.

— Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
Federal prosecutors have charged about 80 people in the broader case, the vast majority of whom are of Somali descent.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of descent

Noun

Though the composition’s chocolatey decadence comes through, centifolia rose is still the star of the scent.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
Opened this June by Jay Desai, Ray Niak and Rohit Singh, the shop aims to match the decadence of Häagen-Daz with a high-nutrition treat that diabetics can enjoy.

— Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of decadence

Browse Nearby Words

degeneracies

degeneracy

degenerate

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“Degeneracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degeneracy. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of degeneracy

noun

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