decadence

/ˈde-kə-dən(t)s/

Middle French, from Medieval Latin decadentia, from Late Latin decadent-, decadens, present participle of decadere to fall, sink

noun

  1. the process of becoming decadent : the quality or state of being decadent

  2. a period of decline

the decadence of modern society

deterioration degeneration decadence decline mean the falling from a higher to a lower level in quality, character, or vitality. deterioration implies generally the impairment of value or usefulness. degeneration stresses physical, intellectual, or especially moral retrogression.