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

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

Preserving tissue improves cloning success rates — a lesson Anderson learned the hard way after degraded samples contributed to her four-year wait. —Ryan Brennan march 4, Kansas City Star, 4 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

Obtaining a suitable profile can be a daunting task, however, since the DNA samples needed to develop those profiles are often old and degraded, said Kendall Mills of Season of Justice, a nonprofit that fundraises for law enforcement agencies that need advanced DNA analysis but can’t afford it. —Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 21 Feb. 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