degenerate 退化，恶化

例句：We degenerate into hideous puppets, haunted by the memory of the passions of which we were too much afraid, and the exquisite temptations that we had not the courage to yield to.
我们退化成丑陋的傀儡，经常回忆我们曾经十分害怕的激情和我们没有勇气对之屈服的绝妙的诱惑。