What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
degenerative
Example
The patient was diagnosed with a degenerative disease that affects the nervous system. [degenerative: adjective]
Example
The degenerative effects of climate change are becoming more apparent each year. [degenerative: adjective]
Example
The company's degenerative policies led to a decline in employee morale. [degenerative: adjective]
deteriorating
Example
The deteriorating condition of the building posed a safety risk to its occupants. [deteriorating: adjective]
Example
The relationship between the two countries is deteriorating due to political tensions. [deteriorating: present participle]
Example
The quality of the product has been deteriorating since the company changed its manufacturing process. [deteriorating: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deteriorating is more commonly used than degenerative in everyday language. Deteriorating is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while degenerative is less common and is typically used in medical or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between degenerative and deteriorating?
Both degenerative and deteriorating can be used in formal or informal contexts, but degenerative may have a more technical or clinical connotation, making it more appropriate for formal or specialized writing.
