Degradation – 1. The act of reducing the dignity or value of someone 2. The wearing down of land by erosion

(Pronounced deg-ruh-dey-shuhn)

To remember the definition of the word degradation, use the following mnemonic:

The devil grumbled that the foundation (degradation) of his house was being eroded by the elements, making him lose dignity as the ruler of the underworld.

Examples of degradation in a sentence (act of reducing the dignity)

After the millionaire gambled away his fortune, he lost his home and lived a life of degradation. 

Being sent to jail was the final degradation for the disgraced town mayor.

He was used to degradation at work, but now his wife was doing it too.

Examples of degradation in a sentence (wearing down of land by erosion)

The town will eventually be flooded due to the degradation of the river banks.

The degradation of the footpath along the shore made it impossible to walk down.

Due to potential degradation in the area we will have to build houses elsewhere.