degradation

• Nom désignant le processus de détérioration, de destruction ou de baisse de la qualité, de la valeur ou de l'état de quelque chose au fil du temps.

A noun referring to the process of something being damaged, broken down, or reduced in quality, value, or condition over time.

indénombrable

1. Deterioration in qualityB2formal

   The process of something becoming worse in quality, condition, or value.

   Dégradation (perte de qualité)

   • The degradation of the building was caused by years of neglect.
   • Environmental degradation is a serious global issue.
   • The degradation of the soil made farming difficult.

   Synonymescorrosiondebasementdecaydeclinedegenerationdeteriorationimpairmentworsening

   Antonymesenhancementimprovementrefinementupgrade

2. Loss of dignity or respectB2formal

   The act of being treated with less respect or being made to feel worthless.

   Avilissement, perte de dignité

   • He suffered public degradation after the scandal.
   • The prisoners endured constant degradation and humiliation.
   • She felt a deep sense of degradation from the unfair treatment.

   Synonymesabasementdebasementdemeaningdisgracehumiliationmortificationshame

   Antonymesdignityelevationexaltationhonorrespect

3. Chemical or biological breakdownC1formalscientific

   The breakdown of a substance into simpler components, often through chemical or biological processes.

   Dégradation chimique ou biologique

   • The degradation of plastic takes hundreds of years.
   • Enzymes play a key role in the degradation of organic matter.
   • Scientists studied the degradation of the compound under heat.

   Synonymesbreakdowncorrosiondecaydecompositiondeteriorationdisintegrationdissolutionhydrolysis