degeneration
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for degeneration, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The process of becoming worse, weaker, or less functional over time.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use degeneration
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
muscle degeneration
nerve degeneration
Etymology
From French dégénération, from Latin dēgenerātiō — the noun form of "degenerate."
Full origin of degeneration →Frequently asked questions
What does “degeneration” mean?
The word “degeneration” means the process of becoming worse, weaker, or less functional over time. In plain terms, the gradual worsening or breakdown of something, often used medically or structurally.
How do you pronounce “degeneration”?
“Degeneration” is pronounced dih-jeh-nuh-RAY-shuhn (/dɪˌdʒɛnəˈɹeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “degeneration” in a sentence?
Here is “degeneration” used in a sentence: “The disease causes gradual degeneration of the optic nerve.”
What is another word for “degeneration”?
Words with a similar meaning to “degeneration” include nerf.
What part of speech is “degeneration”?
“Degeneration” is a noun.
Where does the word “degeneration” come from?
The word “degeneration” comes from Latin. From French dégénération, from Latin dēgenerātiō — the noun form of "degenerate.".
Is “degeneration” a common word?
“Degeneration” is an uncommon word in modern English.
