degraded

adjective

de·​grad·​ed di-ˈgrā-dəd 

dē-

1

: reduced far below ordinary standards of civilized life and conduct

2

: characterized by degeneration of structure or function

degradedly adverb

Synonyms of degraded

• corrupt
• sick

Examples of degraded in a Sentence

many observers deplored the fact that the city's festivities for Mardi Gras had become a degraded, drunken celebration

Recent Examples on the Web

About 200 had been recorded by experts over the following centuries, but the remaining messages were too degraded to read — until RTI brought them into focus. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2026

Looking ahead, the Few & Far team is working to restore more than 200,000 acres of land in the area, replant degraded forests, and safeguard endangered wildlife. —Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2026

Trouvelot cuts into this degraded crater, indicating that the neighboring basin formed first. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 6 Mar. 2026

Eric Nieusma, an organic and regenerative farmer, notes that degraded potting soil also appears very dry, lacks dark organic matter, and may show signs of pests on the surface. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for degraded

• abraded
• arcaded
• blockaded
• brocaded
• cascaded
• dissuaded
• downgraded
• evaded
• invaded
• paraded
• persuaded
• pervaded