Decay & Deterioration Vocabulary

originating from human activity

“Climate change is largely anthropogenic in origin.”

Origin: Greek anthrōpos (human) + -genēs (born, produced)

the condition of being damaged or the process of damaging

“Environmental degradation threatens future generations.”

Origin: Latin degradare, from de- (down) + gradus (step, rank)

the action of clearing forests

“Deforestation in the Amazon has accelerated alarmingly.”

Origin: Latin de- (removal) + forestis (forest)

the process by which fertile land becomes desert

“Overgrazing contributed to the desertification of the region.”

Origin: Latin desertum (desert) + -fication (making)

the gradual destruction by natural forces

“Coastal erosion threatens properties along the shore.”

Origin: Latin erodere (to gnaw away), from e- (out) + rodere (to gnaw)

reduction in the number or quantity of something

“The depletion of fish stocks concerns environmentalists.”

Origin: Latin deplere (to empty out), from de- (completely) + plere (to fill)

the action of making something impure

“Groundwater contamination affected the entire community.”

Origin: Latin contaminare (to pollute), from contamen (contact, pollution)

the presence of harmful substances in the environment

“Air pollution causes millions of premature deaths annually.”

Origin: Latin polluere (to defile, contaminate), from por- (forward) + luere (to wash)

the state of being extinct; no longer existing

“Human activity has accelerated the rate of species extinction.”

Origin: Latin extinctio, from extinguere (to quench), from ex- (out) + stinguere (to quench)

too poor to produce much vegetation

“The barren landscape stretched to the horizon.”

Origin: Old French baraigne (sterile), possibly from Gaulish *barra (summit)