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degenerateto decline or deteriorate physically, mentally, or morally

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to decline or deteriorate physically, mentally, or morally

Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈdʒenərət/

Example Sentences

  • My weekend plans degenerated from 'productive studying' to 'Netflix and instant noodles marathon.'
  • The peaceful protest degenerated into violence when agitators arrived.
  • His posture degenerated so much from gaming that he looked like a human question mark.

degenerate

VERB

[/dɪˈdʒenərət/]

to decline or deteriorate physically, mentally, or morally

The abandoned mansion began to degenerate into a crumbling shell over the decades.
💡 Concept

The abandoned mansion began to degenerate into a crumbling shell over the decades.

The DE-GENERATOR breaks down - declining from great toegate!
🧠 Mnemonic

The DE-GENERATOR breaks down - declining from great toegate!

Try to operate, but it can only generate toxins as it degenerates!
🎵 Rhyme

Try to operate, but it can only generate toxins as it degenerates!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/dɪˈdʒenərət/
🇬🇧 UK/dɪˈdʒenərət/

🌳Etymology

Prefixde--
Rootgener
Suffix--ate

Origin

From Latin 'degenerare', formed from 'de-' (away from) and 'generare' (to beget, produce), meaning 'to fall away from one's kind or ancestors'. The word originally referred to offspring not living up to the standards of their ancestors.

Breakdown

de- (away from, down) + gener (kind, race, birth) + -ate (verb suffix) = degenerate

🎵Rhyme

generatevenerateoperate
generate
venerate
operate

🔗Collocations

degenerate into
degenerate behavior
degenerate disease
morally degenerate
degenerate gambler

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My weekend plans degenerated from 'productive studying' to 'Netflix and instant noodles marathon.'

The peaceful protest degenerated into violence when agitators arrived.

😄 Fun example

His posture degenerated so much from gaming that he looked like a human question mark.

The once-great civilization had degenerated into warring tribes.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

deterioratedeclinecorruptdecayworsen

Antonyms

improveregeneratedevelop

Related

generategenericgenerationdeteriorationdegradation

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