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

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

As part of this, S&P applies a formulaic and technical criteria when analyzing these transactions, which has led to a downgrade of Saks Global’s credit rating. —Evan Clark, Footwear News, 9 July 2025

The two argue that a succession of credit downgrades imposed on the utilities are not the result of bad regulatory decisions, as the utilities and ratings agencies argue. —Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2025

Verb

Ratings agencies Fitch and S&P Global downgraded multiple bond issues earlier this year, citing rising costs and lowered reserves. —David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2025

Needham downgrades CoreWeave to hold from buy Needham downgraded the stock on valuation. —Michael Bloom, CNBC, 10 July 2025

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