degradation

noun

ˌde-grə-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce degradation (audio)
Definition of degradationnext
1
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level English teachers bemoaning the degradation of the language that e-mail and instant messaging have allegedly brought about

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2
as in corruption
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior the belief that moral degradation is an unmistakable sign of a nation in decline

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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 degradation In addition, since vitamin C is prone to degradation by heat and oxygen, it is often used as an indicator of overall quality deterioration during post-processing and handling. — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 2 July 2026 This mainly affected high-frequency radio users across parts of North America who may have experienced temporary signal degradation or brief communication outages while the flare was at its strongest. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 1 July 2026 Silent degradation—a feed going stale, a normalization rule failing, a vendor changing schema—remains invisible until the problem surfaces downstream, often in regulatory reporting. — Lev Yatsemyrskyi, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Electric-vehicle owners and operators face concerns that repeated charging and discharging of a battery could accelerate battery degradation, and that use of V2G could void a battery warranty. — Lisa Baertlein, USA Today, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for degradation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degradation
  1. deterioration
  2. corruption
  3. decline
  4. debasement
  5. declination
Noun
  • But nothing competes with the painful deterioration of her sight after contracting scarlet fever.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
  • In addition, city officials can now require owners to install security measures to help protect vacant buildings from further deterioration or trespassing.
    — Brian Maass, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Definition of deterioration
Noun
  • The electoral authority based the candidate bans on a law against corrupt practices that in previous years saw some parliamentary seats bought with money linked to drug trafficking, corruption and tax evasion.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
  • Seems like far too many appreciate this type of corruption, and making money on SM for lies, is precisely that.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • Surveys showing a decline in Americans who see democracy as important.
    — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • This decision stems from chronic staffing shortages, crumbling infrastructure, budget constraints, and a substantial decline in the federal inmate population, which peaked in 2013 and has since fallen by nearly 30%.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of decline
Noun
  • As InvestorPlace noted in February 2026, the theory behind Bitcoin as a safe haven was never wrong on its own terms — currency debasement, de-dollarization, and geopolitical conflict are exactly the conditions the asset was designed to benefit from.
    — Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • Bitcoin offers growth potential tied to adoption Like gold, Bitcoin is often viewed as a hedge against currency debasement because its supply is limited.
    — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Definition of debasement
Noun
  • The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases.
    — Ken B. Morales, ProPublica, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Federal regulations require special counsels to provide the attorney general with a report that explain prosecution or declination decisions once their work is concluded.
    — Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Definition of declination

Browse Nearby Words

deglamorizing
degradation
degradations
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on degradation

Nglish: Translation of degradation for Spanish Speakers

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