degenerate Definition
- 1having lost the physical, mental, or moral qualities considered normal and desirable; showing evidence of decline
- 2having low moral standards; not honest or fair
- 3a person who has lost the physical, mental, or moral qualities considered normal and desirable
Using degenerate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "degenerate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The city's degenerate culture was a source of concern for many.
Example
His degenerate behavior led to his downfall.
Example
She was accused of being part of a degenerate society.
Example
He was a degenerate gambler who lost everything he had.
degenerate Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with degenerate
art that is considered to be morally corrupt or otherwise offensive
Example
The Nazi regime condemned and banned degenerate art.
to change into something worse, less valuable, or of a lower quality
Example
The peaceful protest degenerated into violence and chaos.
matter that has collapsed under gravity to an extremely high density and is thought to exist in such a state in the core of some stars
Example
Degenerate matter is believed to be present in white dwarfs and neutron stars.
Origins of degenerate
from Latin 'degeneratus', meaning 'having sunk from an ancestral standard'
Summary: degenerate in Brief
The term 'degenerate' [dɪˈdʒenərət] refers to a loss of normal and desirable qualities, whether physical, mental, or moral. It can describe a person or a culture, as in 'His degenerate behavior led to his downfall.' 'Degenerate' also appears in phrases like 'degenerate art,' referring to works considered morally corrupt, and 'degenerate into,' indicating a decline in quality or value.
