degenerative
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of degenerative
First recorded in 1840–50; degenerate + -ive
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.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which cartilage gradually breaks down, leaving joints painful, swollen and increasingly difficult to move.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026
CTE, which stands for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a degenerative brain disease involving the buildup in the brain of “tau” proteins associated with forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 30, 2026
Parkinson's disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects the body's motor system, often causing shaking and other difficulties in movement.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
CTE is a degenerative brain disease that has been found in people who experience repetitive head trauma and can be diagnosed only after death.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
Katie leaned forward, and I whispered the many problems I’d been suffering, which had led to the diagnosis of chronic, degenerative, relapsing-remitting inflammobetigoitis.
From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen
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