Photodegradation, the process of deterioration or disintegration due to exposure to light, is an important phenomenon that occurs in many different materials. However, there are several synonyms that can be used to describe this process depending on the context in which it is used. These include photolysis, photooxidation, photodestruction, and photodecomposition. Photolysis refers specifically to the splitting or breaking of chemical bonds by light, while photooxidation involves the oxidation of a material by exposure to light. Photodestruction and photodecomposition are more general terms that can refer to any process in which materials are broken down or degraded by exposure to light. Overall, these synonyms help to describe the many ways in which light can have a transformative effect on materials.