degenerate
verb (used without object)
to fall below a normal or desirable level in physical, mental, or moral qualities; deteriorate.
had been degenerating
-
past perfect progressiveof degenerate.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
In one case that was described to me, a young inmate afflicted with paranoia had been degenerating for more than a year.
From The New Yorker ● May 2, 2016
For years he had been degenerating as a writer, his physical condition was of the worst: it looked as if his life was quite over.
From Masters of the English Novel A Study of Principles and Personalities by Richard Burton
