degradation

• 指事物在质量、价值、状态或结构上逐渐变差、受损、退化或毁坏的过程。

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

不可数

1. Deterioration in qualityB2formal

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

   退化

   • 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.

   同义词corrosiondebasementdecaydeclinedegenerationdeteriorationimpairmentworsening

   反义词enhancementimprovementrefinementupgrade

2. Loss of dignity or respectB2formal

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

   贬低

   • 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.

   同义词abasementdebasementdemeaningdisgracehumiliationmortificationshame

   反义词dignityelevationexaltationhonorrespect

3. Chemical or biological breakdownC1formalscientific

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

   降解

   • 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.

   同义词breakdowncorrosiondecaydecompositiondeteriorationdisintegrationdissolutionhydrolysis