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

The two candidates have gone head-to-head in recent weeks over support of police and plans to fight corruption in what’s sure to be one of the top races to watch this fall.

— Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Sep. 2026
The alleged corruption occurred between 2019-24 while Hédouville headed the Office of Citizen Protection, the government agency charged with safeguarding human rights.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 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

Larger coupon payments now provide a cushion against further price declines, unlike the low-yield environment earlier this decade.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Later, Hammer filmed her body’s visible decline from a long battle with cancer, concluding with her death in 2019 at age 79.

— Rachel Handler, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of decline

Noun

Trinidad, who is of El Salvadorian descent, traveled to the country of his roots as well as Guatemala, Nicaragua,Mexico and Panama.

— Francesca Pinney, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
About an hour into the descent, the hikers called Siskiyou County dispatchers for directions before veering off-route into Mud Creek Canyon.

— Darrell Smith, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of descent

Noun

One student told Leahy that the problem wasn’t decadence but an obsession with achievement and perfection.

— Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
The marrow adds decadence to what appears to be, at first glance, just another pair of smashed patties slipped inside a sesame seed bun.

— Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of degeneracy

noun

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