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 moral or character decline, while deteriorate typically refers to physical or structural decline.
- Degenerate can suggest a shift from order to chaos, often in terms of behavior or conditions, whereas deteriorate is about becoming progressively worse or inferior.
- Remember that degenerate can relate to societal or ethical contexts, while deteriorate is commonly used for objects, materials, or health.
- If you think of degenerate, imagine a negative transformation in quality or value beyond just physical changes.
- Visualize deteriorate as something wearing away or breaking down over time.
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