degenerate

dégénérer, se dégrader

Perdre ses qualités positives ou se transformer en quelque chose de pire.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : degenerate into something (The meeting degenerated into a shouting match.)

Synonymes : deteriorate, decline

Contraires : improve

Expressions courantes : degenerate into chaos, degenerate into violence, degenerate over time

dégénérer, se détériorer

S’abîmer, s’affaiblir ou perdre progressivement sa capacité à fonctionner.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : deteriorate, break down

Contraires : improve

Expressions courantes : degenerate over time, degenerate rapidly, begin to degenerate

dégrader, corrompre

Faire perdre à quelque chose ses qualités positives ou le rendre pire.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : degrade, corrupt

Contraires : improve

Expressions courantes : degenerate a society, degenerate someone’s character

dépravé, dégénéré

Dont les habitudes ou le comportement sont jugés très mauvais sur le plan moral.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : corrupt, depraved

Expressions courantes : degenerate behavior, degenerate society, degenerate habits

dégénéré, dégradé

Devenu plus faible, moins organisé ou en moins bonne santé qu’avant.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : deteriorated, degraded

Expressions courantes : degenerate tissue, degenerate structure, degenerate cells