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What does "degenerate" most closely mean?

  1. Improve

  2. Increase

  3. Debased

  4. Enhance

The correct answer is: Debased

The term "degenerate" most closely aligns with "debased" because both words convey a sense of decline in quality or value. When something degenerates, it typically deteriorates or worsens, often implying a loss of dignity, morality, or structural integrity. In various contexts, such as biological, social, or abstract concepts, degeneration refers to moving away from a previous, more favorable state, resulting in a diminished or debased condition. Thus, understanding this association clarifies why "debased" is the most appropriate synonym for "degenerate," as they share connotations of decline and a lowering of standard or quality.