1
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
English teachers bemoaning the degradation of the language that e-mail and instant messaging have allegedly brought about
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in corruption
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
the belief that moral degradation is an unmistakable sign of a nation in decline
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degradation
But women interviewed for this story, including some released this year, say violent abuses — and sheer degradation — persist.
—
Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025
Yet, by occurring in the right order, the stepwise degradation of eye genes allowed the marsupial mole’s ancestors to change gradually without harming their fitness.
—Charles Feigin / The Conversation, Popular Science, 23 Jan. 2025
Of course, Spotify isn’t singularly responsible for the degradation of music ecologies.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2025
Yet the devastation that Israel inflicted on Hezbollah last year, the general degradation of Iran’s militia network, and the failure of Tehran’s strategy of using Arab fighters as a forward defense against Israel and the U.S. were decisive.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for degradation 
Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025
Yet, by occurring in the right order, the stepwise degradation of eye genes allowed the marsupial mole’s ancestors to change gradually without harming their fitness.
—Charles Feigin / The Conversation, Popular Science, 23 Jan. 2025
Of course, Spotify isn’t singularly responsible for the degradation of music ecologies.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2025
Yet the devastation that Israel inflicted on Hezbollah last year, the general degradation of Iran’s militia network, and the failure of Tehran’s strategy of using Arab fighters as a forward defense against Israel and the U.S. were decisive.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for degradation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degradation
Noun
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Based on the deterioration of the relationship, a trade — as soon as possible — would appear the preferred alternative, particularly with this latest two-game suspension to otherwise put Butler back in play for the Heat as soon as Monday night’s game against the Orlando Magic at Kaseya Center.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2025
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For women, especially, working could, therefore, be dangerous for them physically and could lead to the deterioration of their health: a result that could adversely affect their roles as mothers and their subsequent responsibility to raise future generations, especially boys.—
Eva Epker,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Although Russia has struggled to embrace startup culture, the big contractors have a stranglehold on the supply process; corruption is endemic, and the military know who to buy from.—
David Hambling,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
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The council has been target of calls for a reconfiguration following its lack of action on the corruption allegations, dissatisfaction with many of its decisions and the escalating gang violence.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The statistics are alarming: teen mental health has plummeted since the widespread adoption of social media, with a particularly sharp decline following the pandemic’s surge in screen time.—
Raj Goyle,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2025
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That’s all the more important for Champagne producers, as the sector has taken a nosedive in the past few years: Shipments fell 9.2 percent last year, and companies such a Mumm posted double-digit declines in sales during the most recent fiscal year.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Red and declinations to rust and burgundy at Ferragamo and Bottega Veneta.—
WWD,
WWD,
3 Sep. 2019
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Thomas said the sheriff's office presented the case to the district attorney's office for declination purposes only because of Suff's prior convictions and death sentence.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC News,
15 Aug. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near degradation
Cite this Entry
“Degradation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degradation. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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