degeneracy

noun

de·​gen·​er·​a·​cy di-ˈjen-rə-sē How to pronounce degeneracy (audio)
-ˈje-nə-, 
dē-
plural degeneracies
Synonyms of degeneracynext
1
: the state of being degenerate
2
: the process of becoming degenerate
3
: sexual perversion
4
: the coding of an amino acid by more than one codon

Synonyms of degeneracy

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Examples of degeneracy in a Sentence

the sad degeneracy of the old neighborhood into a slum the degeneracy of the family into a gang of petty thieves
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Reformers seized on this as both a public-health and a moral crisis; for many Progressives, dirt itself was a sign of degeneracy. — Jacob Beckert, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025 The team found that a near-infrared resolving power of at least 40 is the minimum needed to break that degeneracy. — Paul Sutter, Space.com, 10 June 2026 One night, Earnshaw goes out for his evening’s gambling and degeneracy and returns the next morning with a new resident for the household. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026 By some accounts, England began an irreversible slide into degeneracy as soon as the paperback went on sale. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for degeneracy

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of degeneracy was in 1598

Browse Nearby Words

degenderize
degeneracy
degenerate
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Cite this Entry

“Degeneracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/degeneracy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

degeneracy

noun
de·​gen·​er·​a·​cy di-ˈjen-(ə-)rə-sē How to pronounce degeneracy (audio)
plural degeneracies
: the state of being or process of becoming degenerate : degradation, debasement

Medical Definition

degeneracy

noun
de·​gen·​er·​a·​cy di-ˈjen-(ə-)rə-sē How to pronounce degeneracy (audio)
plural degeneracies
1
: the state of being degenerate
2
: the process of becoming degenerate
3
: sexual perversion
4
: the coding of an amino acid by more than one codon of the genetic code

More from Merriam-Webster on degeneracy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about degeneracy

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