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

If politicians won’t fix bloated pensions amid credit downgrades, the bond market will force their hand. —Editorial Board, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2026

The downgrade comes after Adobe announced that CEO Shantanu Narayen will step down after a successor has been appointed. —Sean Conlon,pia Singh, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026

Verb

Of course, two ratings agencies downgraded Chicago’s overall debt ratings heading into the sale, so that didn’t help. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026

The agency downgraded the advisory in January from a ‘Level 3’ alert that advised travelers to ‘reconsider’ their travel plans to Jamaica altogether. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 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