1. Moral/Social Decline:
* "The once-proud city had degenerated into a place of crime and poverty."
2. Physical Deterioration:
* "The old mansion had degenerated into a crumbling ruin."
3. Mathematical Meaning:
* "The equation degenerates to a simpler form when x equals zero."
4. Informal/Slang:
* (Slightly offensive) "He's a degenerate who spends all his time playing video games."
It's important to be mindful of the word's negative connotations and to choose it carefully. "Degenerate" can be considered offensive in many contexts, especially when applied to people. Consider using alternative words like "corrupt," "deteriorate," or "decay" to convey the same meaning without the negative baggage.