degenerate

/di'dʤenərit/
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degenerate

The artist refused to create work that was merely degenerate.

Definition

  1. Adjective:

    • Having declined in quality, function, or moral character; debased or degraded: Describes something or someone that has fallen below a former or normal standard, often implying a loss of desirable qualities.
    • Unrestrained by convention or morality; dissolute: Describes behavior that is morally corrupt, self-indulgent, or licentious.

  2. Noun:

    • A person whose behavior, especially sexual behavior, deviates from accepted social or moral standards: Refers to an individual considered morally corrupt or depraved.

  3. Verb (intransitive):

    • To decline or deteriorate physically, mentally, or morally: To become worse in quality, character, or condition over time.
    • To pass into a less advanced or worse state: Often implies a reversion to a simpler or lower form.
Usage Examples

  • Adjective:

    • The debate was criticized for its degenerate level of discourse, filled with personal insults.
    • The novel portrays the degenerate lifestyle of the city's elite.

  • Noun:

    • The preacher condemned the sinners and degenerates in his fiery sermon.
    • He was labeled a degenerate by the conservative community for his unconventional art.

  • Verb:

    • Without proper maintenance, the beautiful garden began to degenerate into a weed-filled lot.
    • The political protest threatened to degenerate into widespread violence.
Advanced Usage

  • "Degenerate into (something)": To gradually change and become a worse, often simpler or more violent, form of something.

    • Their friendly argument degenerated into a bitter feud.
    • The software update caused the system to degenerate into chaos.

  • Scientific/Technical Use: In biology or mathematics, describing a state that is simpler, less specialized, or has lost a distinguishing property.

    • A degenerate cell can no longer perform its specific function.
    • In geometry, a degenerate triangle has all three vertices on the same line.
Variants and Related Words

  • Degeneration (n): The process or state of degenerating.

    • The doctor diagnosed a degeneration of the spinal discs.

  • Degeneracy (n): The state of being degenerate, often used in a moral or physical context.

    • Critics spoke of the moral degeneracy of the era.

  • Degenerative (adj): Causing or characterized by decline or deterioration, often used in medicine.

    • Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease.
Synonyms
  • Adjective: Corrupt, debased, depraved, dissolute, decadent, degraded.
  • Verb: Deteriorate, decline, worsen, decay, sink, devolve.
  • Noun: Deviant, pervert, reprobate, debauchee.
Antonyms
  • Adjective/Verb: Improve, develop, progress, flourish, regenerate.
  • Noun: Paragon, saint.
Related Phrases

  • "Moral degenerate": A phrase emphasizing moral corruption.

    • He was denounced as a moral degenerate.

  • "Degenerate era/age": A period perceived as one of cultural or moral decline.

    • Some historians refer to the final years of the empire as a degenerate age.
degenerate

The artist refused to create work that was merely degenerate.

Adjective
  1. unrestrained by convention or morality
    • Congreve draws a debauched aristocratic society
    • deplorably dissipated and degraded
    • riotous living
    • fast women
Noun
  1. a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior
Verb
  1. grow worse
    • Her condition deteriorated
    • Conditions in the slums degenerated
    • The discussion devolved into a shouting match

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