DEGENERATE Synonyms: 169 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'degenerate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of degenerate are corrupt , iniquitous , nefarious , vicious , and villainous . While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition. // a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

Q: When would 'corrupt' be a good substitute for 'degenerate'?

While the synonyms corrupt and degenerate are close in meaning, corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations. // city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

Q: When is 'iniquitous' a more appropriate choice than 'degenerate'?

The synonyms iniquitous and degenerate are sometimes interchangeable, but iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness. // an iniquitous system of taxation

Q: Where would 'nefarious' be a reasonable alternative to 'degenerate'?

The words nefarious and degenerate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct. // the nefarious rackets of organized crime

Q: In what contexts can 'vicious' take the place of 'degenerate'?

In some situations, the words vicious and degenerate are roughly equivalent. However, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence. // a vicious gangster

Q: When could 'villainous' be used to replace 'degenerate'?

The meanings of villainous and degenerate largely overlap; however, villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic. // a villainous assault

degenerate 1 of 3

adjective

di-ˈjen-rət

Definition of degenerate

as in weak

having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit a degenerate society in which people had no sense of being citizens, only consumers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in corrupt

having or showing lowered moral character or standards a movie about a gang of degenerate drug dealers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

degenerate

2 of 3

noun

di-ˈjen-rət

as in pervert

a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard a degenerate who is uninterested in anything but his own gratification

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

saint

degenerate

3 of 3

verb

di-ˈje-nə-ˌrāt

as in to deteriorate

to become worse or of less value over the years the community-minded organization degenerated into a club for loafers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective degenerate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of degenerate are corrupt, iniquitous, nefarious, vicious, and villainous. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

When would corrupt be a good substitute for degenerate?

While the synonyms corrupt and degenerate are close in meaning, corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

When is iniquitous a more appropriate choice than degenerate?

The synonyms iniquitous and degenerate are sometimes interchangeable, but iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

Where would nefarious be a reasonable alternative to degenerate?

The words nefarious and degenerate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

In what contexts can vicious take the place of degenerate?

In some situations, the words vicious and degenerate are roughly equivalent. However, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

When could villainous be used to replace degenerate?

The meanings of villainous and degenerate largely overlap; however, villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of degenerate

Adjective

After delivery, the umbilical arteries constrict and degenerate. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 In Osamu Dazai’s The Setting Sun, Kazuko despairs of the pain that her brother Naoji’s drug addiction and degenerate behavior have caused the family. — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

Noun

In two minutes of ranting and raving about his degenerate son’s twenty-six-thousand-dollar dinner bill, Reiner gave an indelible comedic performance destined to be quoted for years to come. — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025 The product exploded, generating trillions and minting a new class of crypto degenerates who were willing to take massive risks that, occasionally, resulted in millions. — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026

Verb

Floaters are most common in people over age 50 because that’s when the vitreous gel typically begins to degenerate, a process called vitreous syneresis, Starr said. — Cathy Nelson, Health, 13 Mar. 2026 After delivery, the umbilical arteries constrict and degenerate. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for degenerate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for degenerate

Adjective

Following a year of historically weak hiring in 2025, hiring rebounded this spring.

— Rachel Barber, USA Today, 2 July 2026
In a weak free-agency class, centers Robert Williams III (Portland) and Mark Williams (Phoenix) are already off the market, each reportedly agreeing to return to their current teams.

— Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of weak

Adjective

Harry and the six other high-profile claimants failed to prove their allegations that the publisher unlawfully obtained private information through methods including private investigators, deception, phone hacking and corrupt payments.

— Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
After all, this was FIFA, the infamously corrupt governing body of international soccer that seems to function not based on its rulebook but on the whims of a few guys in a room.

— Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 July 2026

Definition of corrupt

Verb

They can also be used for de-aging characters, creating performances in different languages, or preserving the voice or likeness of an actor whose health is deteriorating, as was the case with CAA client Eric Dane.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 6 July 2026
Though concrete is a durable surface, concrete driveway repair is needed when the surface deteriorates and develops cracks over the years.

— Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026

Definition of deteriorate

Adjective

Faster delivery with degraded quality just accelerates technical debt and erodes user trust.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Her days are spent growing coral fragments in nurseries, cleaning restoration structures, managing coral predators and transplanting coral onto degraded reefs.

— Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

Definition of degraded

Verb

Another witness said Lopez stood up twice as the aircraft began descending into Las Vegas, went to the restroom, then returned to his seat before suddenly launching the attack.

— Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Around 1,000 attendees are expected to descend on Madison Square Garden over the next two days to celebrate the union of the music superstar and Super Bowl champion.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of descend

Adjective

Vanilla wafer cookies provide a fun and unexpected crust that holds up decadent, creamy layers of chocolate and vanilla.

— Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 5 July 2026
The book-length poem, set at a private party, explores the decadent lifestyles associated with the movie industry in California in the 1920s.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026

Definition of decadent

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degeneracy

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“Degenerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degenerate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of degenerate

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verb

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