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Degradation vs Despair - What's the difference?

degradation | despair |

As nouns the difference between degradation and despair

is that degradation is the act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one's standing or rank in office or society; diminution; as, the degradation of a peer, a knight, a general, or a bishop while despair is loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency.

As a verb despair is

to give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of.

degradation

Noun

(en noun)
  • The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one's standing or rank in office or society; diminution; as, the degradation of a peer, a knight, a general, or a bishop.
  • The state of being reduced in rank, character, or reputation; baseness; moral, physical, or intellectual degeneracy; disgrace; abasement; debasement.
  • Diminution or reduction of strength, efficacy, or value; degeneration; deterioration.
  • (geology) A gradual wearing down or wasting, as of rocks and banks, by the action of water, frost etc.
  • A deleterious change in the chemical structure, physical properties or appearance of a material from natural or artificial exposure.
  • The state or condition of a species or group which exhibits degraded forms; degeneration.
  • Arrest of development, or degeneration of any organ, or of the body as a whole.
  • The gradual breakdown of components of a material, as a result of a natural element, i.e.: heat, cold and wind.
  • Derived terms

    * biodegradation

    despair

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of.
  • * Milton
  • I would not despair the greatest design that could be attempted.
  • (obsolete) To cause to despair.
  • To be hopeless; to have no hope; to give up all hope or expectation.
  • * Bible, 2 Corinthians i. 8
  • We despaired even of life.

    Noun

  • Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency.
  • He turned around in despair , aware that he was not going to survive
  • That which is despaired of.
  • Synonyms

    * desperation * despondency * hopelessness

    Anagrams

    * aspired * diapers * praised