degenerates — to decline or deteriorate physically, mentally, or morally
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to decline or deteriorate physically, mentally, or morally
Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈdʒenəreɪts/
Example Sentences
- Without proper maintenance, even the fanciest sports car degenerates into a pile of rust.
- The family dinner degenerates into a food fight whenever Uncle Bob visits.
- His handwriting degenerates so much that even doctors are impressed by its illegibility.
degenerates
VERB[/dɪˈdʒenəreɪts/]
to decline or deteriorate physically, mentally, or morally
Once a grand mansion, the abandoned house degenerates into a crumbling ruin overrun by weeds.
As genius degenerates, hope still generates while the world celebrates
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This word derives from Latin degenerare, composed of de- (down, away) and generare (to beget, produce). Originally meaning 'to fall from one's kind or station,' it evolved to describe a decline in quality, character, or condition, as if descending from a higher to lower state.
Breakdown
de- (down, away) + genus (birth, kind, race) + -ate (verb-forming suffix). The root genus refers to lineage or type, so degenerare literally means 'to depart from one's kind.'
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Without proper maintenance, even the fanciest sports car degenerates into a pile of rust.”
“The family dinner degenerates into a food fight whenever Uncle Bob visits.”
“His handwriting degenerates so much that even doctors are impressed by its illegibility.”
“The peaceful protest degenerates into violence when extremists joined.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
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