degrade

de·grade

verb \di-ˈgrād, dē-\

Definition of DEGRADE

transitive verb

1

a : to lower in grade, rank, or status : demote b : to strip of rank or honors c : to lower to an inferior or less effective level <degrade the image quality> d : to scale down in desirability or salability

2

a : to bring to low esteem or into disrepute <his actions have degraded his profession> b : to drag down in moral or intellectual character : corrupt

3

: to impair in respect to some physical property <material degraded by exposure to sunlight>

4

: to wear down by erosion

5

: to reduce the complexity of (a chemical compound) : decompose

intransitive verb

1

: to pass from a higher grade or class to a lower

2

of a chemical compound : to become reduced in complexity

— de·grad·er noun

— de·grad·ing·ly \-ˈgrā-diŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of DEGRADE

1. The group accuses the company of degrading women in its ads.
2. He felt degraded by their remarks.
3. Scratches on a camera lens will degrade the image.
4. Pollution has degraded air quality.

Origin of DEGRADE

Middle English, from Anglo-French degrader, from Late Latin degradare, from Latin de- + gradus step, grade — more at grade

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DEGRADE

Synonyms: break, bust, demote, disrate, downgrade, reduce

Antonyms: advance, elevate, promote, raise

Related Words: can, cashier, dismiss, downsize, fire, lay off, sack; abase, debase, demean, humble, humiliate, lower

Near Antonyms: hire

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Rhymes with DEGRADE

abrade, afraid, air raid, arcade, Band-Aid, barmaid, Belgrade, blockade, bondmaid, bridesmaid, brigade, brocade, cascade, charade, clichéd, cockade, corrade, cross-trade, crusade, decade, dissuade, downgrade, evade, eyeshade, fair-trade, first aid, glissade, grenade, handmade, homemade, housemaid, inlaid, invade, limeade, low-grade, man-made, mermaid, milkmaid, navaid, nightshade, nursemaid, old maid, parade, persuade, pervade, plain-laid, pomade, postpaid, sacheted, scalade, sea-maid, self-made, stockade, sunshade, switchblade, torsade, twayblade, twice-laid, unbraid, unlade, unmade, unpaid, upbraid, upgrade