down·grade
ˈdau̇n-ˌgrād 
1
: a downward grade (as of a road)
2
: a descent toward an inferior state
a career on the downgrade
downgraded; downgrading; downgrades
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
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
British Columbia was downgraded by Moody’s Ratings, which reiterated its negative outlook, the latest in a string of downgrades for Canada’s third-most populous province as its fiscal position worsens amid macroeconomic pressure.
—Thomas Seal, Bloomberg, 19 Mar. 2026
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
The moved followed Netflix downgrading the couple’s rich overall deal to a first-look deal in August 2025 after the company had produced the documentary Harry & Meghan and unscripted series Polo and With Love, Meghan.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downgrade
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Noun
Many factors can contribute to a significant score downgrade, including a history of opening up multiple new credit lines.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
British Columbia was downgraded by Moody’s Ratings, which reiterated its negative outlook, the latest in a string of downgrades for Canada’s third-most populous province as its fiscal position worsens amid macroeconomic pressure.
—Thomas Seal, Bloomberg, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
Kelly was downgraded to police officer from sergeant and assigned to an administrative post.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
The moved followed Netflix downgrading the couple’s rich overall deal to a first-look deal in August 2025 after the company had produced the documentary Harry & Meghan and unscripted series Polo and With Love, Meghan.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downgrade
Cite this Entry
“Downgrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downgrade. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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