Master confusing words with ease
Degenerate vs. Deteriorate
Degenerate
/dɪˈdʒenərət/Examples:
The debate degenerated into a shouting match.Their health degenerated after years of poor diet.The city's infrastructure is degenerating rapidly.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Deteriorate
/dɪˈtɪəriəreɪt/Examples:
The city's infrastructure began to deteriorate rapidly.His health continued to deteriorate despite treatments.Relations between the two countries have deteriorated.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Degenerate often implies a decline in a persons morals or character, while deteriorate' usually refers to the worsening of a condition or state.
- If something is degenerating, it's losing its quality or being reduced in capability, akin to a moral or genetic regression.
- When something is deteriorating, it's generally becoming worse over time, such as a building crumbling.
- Both words imply decline, but degenerate often carries a connotation of dirtiness or shame, while deteriorate is more neutral.
- Remember: degenerate can describe a person turning to bad habits, while deteriorate can describe a road getting potholes.
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