noun
degeneracy
dih-JEN-uh-ruh-see/dɪˈdʒenərəsi/
A decline in quality, condition, or moral standards.
The ruined fountain shows physical degeneracy compared with its intact earlier photograph.
Etymology
“Away from” one's “descent” originally meant falling below the qualities attributed to one's ancestors or kind. Degeneracy names the resulting impaired condition, extended to moral, physical, or cultural decline.
In context
right where there was a perception of decay degeneracy right crime rates were increasing rapidly
More examples
- He complains about the degeneracy of modern art.
- The novel traces a wealthy family's gradual descent into degeneracy.
- Reformers promise to reverse the institution's degeneracy and restore public trust.
Forms
degeneracy
degenerate adjective — Declining in quality or moral standards.
degeneration noun — The process of declining in quality.
Similar words
- deterioration
- Emphasizes worsening quality or condition rather than moral failure.
- corruption
- Focuses on dishonesty or abuse of entrusted power.
- decadence
- Suggests moral or cultural decline through luxury and self-indulgence.