degenerate
Decline in quality
Degenerate describes something that has declined from a former or normal state—deteriorated, corrupted, or degraded.
A degenerate gambler has let the habit consume them.
Degenerate can also be a noun for such a person: The bar was full of degenerates.
The verb means to decline or deteriorate: The discussion degenerated into shouting.
In science, degenerate has technical meanings involving loss of differentiation or multiple states sharing the same energy level.
Break into simpler parts
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- putrefyDecompose with stench
- disintegrateBreak into fragments
- deteriorateGrow worse over time
crumble · atrophy · wither · erode · spoil · fester · mold · biodegrade
Corrupt or distort
- reprobateUnprincipled person beyond reform
- miscreantEvildoer or villain
- outcastShunned, rejected person
- pariahRejected, shunned person
deviant · depraved · lowlife · wretch · debaucher · libertine · rake · roué
Profound moral corruption
- viceBad habit or deputy
- immoralityQuality of being wicked
- debaucheryExtreme indulgence in vices
- perversionCorruption or deviant distortion
dissolution · profligacy · licentiousness · dissipation · decadence · turpitude · degradation · moral decay
Process of declining quality
- regressionReturn to former state
- degradationDecline in condition
- downfallSudden loss of power
- collapseSudden structural failure
worsening · descent · devolution · backslide · retrogression · slippage · erosion · waning
Change genetic structure
- regressRevert to earlier state
- devolveTransfer or degenerate
- atavismReturn to ancestral type
- vestigialReduced, without current function
reversion · primitive · rudimentary · simplified · reduced · atrophied
One in number
- collapsedFell inward suddenly
- trivialLacking significance or weight
- reducibleAble to be diminished
- special caseInstance warranting distinct treatment
decompose
Break into simpler parts
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- putrefyDecompose with stench
- disintegrateBreak into fragments
deteriorate · crumble · atrophy · wither · erode · spoil · fester · mold · biodegrade · corrode
pervert
Corrupt or distort
- reprobateUnprincipled person beyond reform
- miscreantEvildoer or villain
- outcastShunned, rejected person
pariah · deviant · depraved · lowlife · wretch · debaucher · libertine · rake · roué · profligate
depravity
Profound moral corruption
- viceBad habit or deputy
- immoralityQuality of being wicked
- debaucheryExtreme indulgence in vices
perversion · dissolution · profligacy · licentiousness · dissipation · decadence · turpitude · degradation · moral decay · sinfulness
deterioration
Process of declining quality
- regressionReturn to former state
- degradationDecline in condition
- downfallSudden loss of power
collapse · worsening · descent · devolution · backslide · retrogression · slippage · erosion · waning · decay
mutate
Change genetic structure
vestigial · reversion · primitive · rudimentary · simplified · reduced · atrophied
singular
One in number
degeneratevirtuous
Morally excellent, principled
upright · righteous · moral · upstanding · saint
degenerateimprove
Raise in quality
regenerate · progress · develop · advance · evolve
degenerateregenerate
Restore by regrowing
healthy · vital · robust · thriving · flourishing
- degenerative diseasesConditions causing gradual deterioration
- macular degenerationRetinal disease causing central blindness
- degenerative conditionDisease causing gradual decline
- degenerative disc diseaseSpinal cushion deterioration condition
- degenerative discDeteriorating spinal cushion
- degenerate artCreatively corrupt works
degeneration, degeneracy, degenerating, degenerates, degenerated, degenerative, degenerations, degeneracies