downgrade

1 of 2

noun

down·​grade ˈdau̇n-ˌgrād 

1

: a downward grade (as of a road)

2

: a descent toward an inferior state

a career on the downgrade

downgrade

2 of 2

verb

downgraded; downgrading; downgrades

transitive verb

1

: to lower in quality, value, status, or extent

2

: minimize, depreciate

Synonyms of downgrade

Noun

• deterioration
• decline
• degradation
• declination

Verb

• demote
• reduce

Examples of downgrade in a Sentence

Noun

a downgrade in the company's stock prices

a singing career on the downgrade

Verb

The restaurant was downgraded from three to two stars.

She didn't intend to downgrade the importance of her colleague's work.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The last thing this administration should be doing at a time when Chicago’s credit rating is hanging by a thread is give analysts more fodder for future downgrades to add to the four Johnson already has amassed on his three-year watch. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Despite the downgrades, the worst of the negativity around software is lifted following the Situational Awareness unwind. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026

Verb

Loop downgrades Five Below to hold from buy Loop downgraded the stock on valuation. — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026

In Hawaii, residents won a bit of a reprieve as a weakening Moke, downgraded from a tropical storm to a tropical depression, passed some 300 miles to the south. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for downgrade

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

downgrade

1 of 2 noun

down·​grade -ˌgrād 

1

: a downward slope

2

: a lowering toward a worse condition

a neighborhood on the downgrade

downgrade adverb

downgrade

2 of 2 verb

: to lower in grade, rank, or standing