degenerate
verb (used without object)
to fall below a normal or desirable level in physical, mental, or moral qualities; deteriorate.
degenerates
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pluralof degenerate.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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present tense formof degenerate (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
degenerateverb (used without object)to fall below a normal or desirable level in physical, mental, or moral qualities; deteriorate.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As the valve tissue degenerates, the thin flaps that should meet neatly can thicken, stretch, or lose their normal shape.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026
By targeting the “worst” degenerates first, they fractured the opposition, and inadvertently created that “First they came for…” poem that we all now memorize in middle school.
From Slate ● Feb. 16, 2025
“When my dad’s wife died a couple of years back, it was those rave degenerates who were there for me,” she says.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2024
Over the course of the film, he gradually degenerates into a disgusting creature nicknamed "Brundlefly."
From Salon ● Jan. 30, 2023
“If our search degenerates to that level I’ll be sure to call on you,” I said without looking in his direction.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
