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Definitions

degenerate

[dih-jen-uh-reyt, dih-jen-er-it] / dɪˈdʒɛn əˌreɪt, dɪˈdʒɛn ər ɪt /
ADJECTIVE
corrupt, deteriorated
Synonyms
STRONG
base debased debauched decadent decayed degenerated degraded demeaned depraved failing fallen low mean miscreant perverted retrograde sinking vitiated worsen
WEAK
dissolute effete flatitious immoral infamous nefarious overripe retrogressive rotten unhealthy vicious villainous wicked
Antonyms
STRONG
clean good healthy honest honorable kind moral nice noble pure strong uncorrupt upright virtuous well
VERB
decay, deteriorate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
descend disintegrate lapse lessen regress revert worsen
STRONG
backslide corrode corrupt decline decrease deprave retrogress return rot sink slip vitiate
WEAK
come apart at seams die on vine disimprove fall off go downhill go to pieces go to the dogs
Antonyms
STRONGEST
develop grow increase progress
STRONG
aid build help improve rise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I’m kind of glad that I’m not so much of a degenerate anymore.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

You need to be a true degenerate for Las Vegas to break your heart.

From Slate • Nov. 18, 2025

“If somebody launched a 5x Nvidia product tomorrow, it would probably get half a million dollars overnight. The appetite for degenerate leverage is pretty strong right now,” Nadig told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 23, 2025

His screen persona has often been the sleaziest of weasels, the connoisseur’s moral degenerate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

The most pertinent consideration about the incognitum, however, was that it appeared to be extinct–a fact that Buffon cheerfully seized upon as proof of its incontestably degenerate nature.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

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