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

From the outset, Bowie presented himself less as that degraded breed—a rock star—and more as a cultural all-rounder. —Alexander Larman, Time, 10 Jan. 2026

Two meetings will be hosted this month for public input on a proposal to restore a degraded estuary in South Laguna at Aliso Creek. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026

Loyola Marymount University professor Demian Willette uses it to better understand how micro-forests take up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, contribute to local biodiversity and help restore degraded land. —Emily Kwong, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026

And while its social-welfare state was dismantled and degraded, its corporate welfare state survived and thrived, helping create the unequal metropolis Mamdani is called upon to govern. —Daniel Wortel-London, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 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