degenerative
adjective
Did you know?
Degenerative diseases—including cancer, glaucoma, Parkinson's, diabetes, arthritis, and leprosy—are usually contrasted with infectious diseases (diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa). However, many infectious diseases (Lyme disease, AIDS, etc.) can cause a body or body part to degenerate, and infective organisms play a part in some degenerative diseases. Some degenerative diseases can be controlled; some can even be cured. But no one has yet discovered a way to reverse such degenerative conditions as multiple sclerosis, emphysema, or Alzheimer's.
Examples of degenerative in a Sentence
Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 30 June 2024
After being unable to find any research on degenerative joint and bone disease in ancient scribes, Havelková teamed up with Dulíková and other colleagues to conduct a study of their own.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 28 June 2024
Jay Leno on Tuesday was officially granted conservatorship of his wife, Mavis, amid her ongoing struggles with degenerative brain disease.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2024
Then there’s the cognitive dissonance that comes with being such a high-profile figure with a degenerative disease, something Fox speaks to after a particularly painful round of physical therapy.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for degenerative 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'degenerative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near degenerative
Cite this Entry
“Degenerative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/degenerative. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
degenerative
adjective
Medical Definition
degenerative
adjective
-ˈjen-(ə-)rət-
Morris Fishbein
Share