What does "degradation" mean?
The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one's standing or rank in office or society
Degradation
noun
noun ·4 syllables ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one's standing or rank in office or society
- Grammar: degradation is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: abandon, abandonment, abasement, abasement.
- Useful contrasts: biological maintenance, biotic integrities, civic improvement.
- Usage evidence: Will humanity be able to prevent the degradation of ecosystems?
How to use "degradation"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "degradation" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "degradation" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "degradation" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "degradation" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "degradation" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abandon" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "degradation", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one's standing or rank in office or society countable, uncountable
"This feature of good organization, the conferring of definite local superior rank, and the protection of the incumbent from unnecessary degradation, was discovered centuries ago by another effective institution, the Catholic church."
- 2 changing to a lower state (a less respected state) wordnet
- 3 The state of being reduced in rank, character, or reputation; baseness; moral, physical, or intellectual degeneracy; disgrace; abasement; debasement. countable, uncountable
"There will be no poverty. All work will be done by living machines. Everybody will be free from worry and liberated from the degradation of labor. Everybody will live only to perfect himself."
- 4 a low or downcast state wordnet
- 5 Diminution or reduction of strength, efficacy, or value; degeneration; deterioration. countable, uncountable
"The extent of the damage to the military is still unclear and disputed, but the repeated bombings of the army and revolutionary guard bases and installations suggests substantial degradation of Iran's military power. Militarisation had long consumed a vast amount of the nation's resources."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 A gradual wearing down or wasting, as of rocks and banks, by the action of water, frost etc. countable, uncountable
"Overexploitation of land for fuelwood is a further cause of soil degradation in Africa, Asia and South America"
- 7 A deleterious change in the chemical structure, physical properties or appearance of a material from natural or artificial exposure. countable, uncountable
- 8 The state or condition of a species or group which exhibits degraded forms; degeneration. countable, uncountable
- 9 Arrest of development, or degeneration of any organ, or of the body as a whole. countable, uncountable
"muscle degradation"
- 10 The gradual breakdown of components of a material, as a result of a natural element, i.e.: heat, cold and wind. countable, uncountable
Antonyms
biological maintenancebiotic integritiescivic improvementecological condition
Example
"Will humanity be able to prevent the degradation of ecosystems?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "degradation"?
Common synonyms include: abandon, abandonment, abasement, abasement, abasing, abjection.
How do you use "degradation" in a sentence?
Will humanity be able to prevent the degradation of ecosystems?
Etymology
From French dégradation. Morphologically degrade + -ation.