degenerate

To lose positive qualities or change into something worse.

• The discussion degenerated into an argument.
• Their friendship gradually degenerated into open hostility.
• The peaceful protest could degenerate into violence.

How to use it: degenerate into something (The meeting degenerated into a shouting match.)

Similar words: deteriorate, decline

Opposites: improve

Common phrases: degenerate into chaos, degenerate into violence, degenerate over time

To gradually become damaged, weaker, or less able to work.

• The damaged tissue began to degenerate.
• His health degenerated over the winter.
• Without treatment, the nerves may degenerate further.

Similar words: deteriorate, break down

Opposites: improve

Common phrases: degenerate over time, degenerate rapidly, begin to degenerate

To make something lose its positive qualities or become worse.

• Unchecked corruption can degenerate a society.
• The author argues that luxury degenerates character.
• Years of abuse had degenerated the institution’s values.

Similar words: degrade, corrupt

Opposites: improve

Common phrases: degenerate a society, degenerate someone’s character

Having habits or behavior considered seriously bad or morally wrong.

• The preacher condemned degenerate behavior.
• Critics described the ruling class as degenerate.
• The novel portrays a wealthy but degenerate society.

Similar words: corrupt, depraved

Common phrases: degenerate behavior, degenerate society, degenerate habits

Having become weaker, less organized, or less healthy than before.

• The sample contained degenerate tissue.
• Scientists examined the degenerate cells under a microscope.
• The report described a degenerate system that could no longer function properly.

Similar words: deteriorated, degraded

Common phrases: degenerate tissue, degenerate structure, degenerate cells