degenerative

adjective

de·​gen·​er·​a·​tive di-ˈje-nə-rə-tiv 

-ˈjen-rə-;

-ˈje-nə-ˌrā-;

dē-

: of, relating to, involving, or causing degeneration

a degenerative disease

Did you know?

Degenerative diseases—including cancer, glaucoma, Parkinson's, diabetes, arthritis, and leprosy—are usually contrasted with infectious diseases (diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa). However, many infectious diseases (Lyme disease, AIDS, etc.) can cause a body or body part to degenerate, and infective organisms play a part in some degenerative diseases. Some degenerative diseases can be controlled; some can even be cured. But no one has yet discovered a way to reverse such degenerative conditions as multiple sclerosis, emphysema, or Alzheimer's.

Examples of degenerative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The pair developed a close friendship which eventually evolved into a relationship that turned tragic when Xander stepped up to take care of Dawn through a degenerative spiritual illness. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 26 Feb. 2025

Tesla has been forced to contend with an increasingly degenerative outlook over the past two months, and Barclays doesn’t expect things to reverse from here. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025

In 2019, Frampton disclosed that he’d been diagnosed with inclusion body myositis, a degenerative muscle disease. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 11 Feb. 2025

Basically, this epigenetic dysregulation of gene expression is at the top of a domino effect that affects cellular function and other degenerative processes. —New Atlas, 2 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1846, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for degenerative

• regenerative
• generative
• neurodegenerative

Kids Definition

degenerative

adjective

de·​gen·​er·​a·​tive di-ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt-iv 

-ˈjen-(ə-)rət-iv

: of, relating to, or tending to cause degeneration

a degenerative disease

Medical Definition

degenerative

adjective

de·​gen·​er·​a·​tive di-ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt-iv  -ˈjen-(ə-)rət- 

: of, relating to, involving, or tending to cause degeneration

degenerative conditions of the nervous system

—Morris Fishbein

degenerative changes

a degenerative muscle disorder