(~s)
1.
You use ~ to refer to a situation, condition, or experience which you consider shameful and disgusting, especially one which involves poverty or immorality.
They were sickened by the scenes of misery and ~ they found...
N-VAR disapproval
2.
Degradation is the process of something becoming worse or weaker, or being made worse or weaker.
I feel this signals the ~ of American culture.
N-UNCOUNT: with supp
3.
The ~ of land or of the environment is the process of its becoming damaged and poorer, for example because of the effects of pollution, industry, and modern agricultural methods. (TECHNICAL)
N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp