degenerative
adjective
de·gen·er·a·tive
| \ di-ˈje-nə-rə-tiv
, -ˈjen-rə-; -ˈje-nə-ˌrā-; dē-\
, -ˈjen-rə-; -ˈje-nə-ˌrā-; dē-\
Definition of degenerative
: of, relating to, involving, or causing degeneration
a degenerative disease
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Examples of degenerative in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Recent studies by Boston University researchers on the brains of deceased players, including Aaron Hernandez, have found evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the degenerative brain disease also known as CTE. — Michael Levenson, BostonGlobe.com, "Ex-NFL players six times more likely than the general public to report cognitive problems, study finds," 30 Aug. 2019 Research has shown that some forms of cognitive stimulation may delay or slow the onset of degenerative neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. — Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, "Older people are embracing video games. For some, that means stardom.," 29 Aug. 2019 In the past few years, custom wheelchairs to assist pets and even wild animals that have damaged or missing limbs or have other problems, such as arthritis, paralysis and degenerative muscle diseases, have become increasingly common. — Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, "Hobble, hobble! This Michigan turkey needs a custom wheelchair," 27 Aug. 2019 In another study, BU researchers zeroed in on the effects of head slams by comparing groups of adults who started in football before and after age 12 and who went on to develop CTE, a degenerative brain disease linked to repetitive hits in sports. — Mark Hyman, The Denver Post, "Guest Commentary: Children, tackle football and possible dangers of brain diseases," 25 Aug. 2019 One of her clients is Sharon Fillner, 62, who has neuropathy, a degenerative nerve disease. — Harriet L. Blake, Dallas News, "Include them in: Meeting seniors where they are helps overcome isolation," 20 Aug. 2019 Pretty bold statement for a man who’s been diagnosed with inclusion body myositis, a degenerative muscle disease that eventually will take the pick out of his fingers and the guitar off his shoulder. — Chuck Yarborough, cleveland.com, "Peter Frampton heads into the sunset with his fingers ablaze with ‘Finale: Farewell Tour’ stop at Blossom," 9 Aug. 2019 He has been diagnosed with inclusion body myositis, a degenerative muscle disease that eventually will rob him of the ability to use his arms, legs and — most especially lethal for a guitarist — his fingers. — Chuck Yarborough, cleveland.com, "Peter Frampton going out on his own terms despite fight with degenerative muscle disease," 4 Aug. 2019 The law is aimed at preventing a degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. — SFChronicle.com, "Is high school football slowly dying? Read the latest numbers for California," 1 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'degenerative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for degenerative
degenerative
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of degenerative
medical
: causing the body or part of the body to become weaker or less able to function as time passes
See the full definition for degenerative in the English Language Learners Dictionary
degenerative
adjective
de·gen·er·a·tive
| \ di-ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt-iv
, -ˈjen-(ə-)rət-
\
, -ˈjen-(ə-)rət-
\
Medical Definition of degenerative
: of, relating to, involving, or tending to cause degeneration
degenerative conditions of the nervous system— Morris Fishbein degenerative changes a degenerative muscle disorder
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