degenerating Play verbDecline or deteriorate physically, mentally, or morally. SYNONYMS atrophybecome debilitateddecaydeclinedeterioratedevolvefailfall offget/grow worsego down the toiletgo down the tubesgo downhillgo to potgo to rack and ruingo to the dogsgo to the packhit the skidslapseregressretrograderetrogressrotsinkslideslipslumptake a turn for the worsewastewaste awayweakenworsen