What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
decayed
Example
The old wooden fence had decayed over time and was now falling apart. [decayed: verb]
Example
The smell of decayed fruit filled the air. [decayed: adjective]
degraded
Example
The company's reputation was degraded after the scandal. [degraded: adjective]
Example
The soldiers were degraded to a lower rank for their misconduct. [degraded: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Decayed is more commonly used than degraded in everyday language, especially when describing physical objects. Degraded is less common but has a stronger connotation of moral or ethical decline.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between decayed and degraded?
Both decayed and degraded are relatively formal words and may not be commonly used in casual conversation. However, degraded has a stronger connotation of moral or ethical decline and may be more appropriate in formal or academic writing.
