degenerative

[dih-jen-er-uh-tiv, -uh-rey-tiv]

adjective

1. tending to degenerate.

2. characterized by degeneration.

degenerative

/ dɪˈdʒɛnəˌreɪtɪv /

adjective

1. (of a disease or condition) getting steadily worse

Other Word Forms

• nondegenerative adjective
• undegenerative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of degenerative¹

First recorded in 1840–50; degenerate + -ive

Example Sentences

Moody, 47, learned he had the degenerative, muscle-wasting condition two weeks ago and has told BBC Breakfast that he is struggling to confront the implications of his diagnosis.

From BBC

Because for Pembroke - who has only 10% vision having been diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition, retinitis pigmentosa, when he was six - it's not just about beer.

From BBC

The degenerative condition causes muscle weakness and, of the 1,000 people diagnosed in the UK each year, the NHS says most will lose the ability to speak.

From BBC

“The hard part about degenerative eye disease is you don’t wake up one day and realize ‘Oh, I should use my cane now for the rest of my life.’”

From Los Angeles Times

But this year, questions are intensifying over the risk youth athletes face from repeated head injuries after a gunman who played football in Southern California claimed he suffered from a degenerative brain disease.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• backward 
• deteriorating 
• regressive 
• retrogressive