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

The downgrade comes on the heels of the chemical company surging 16% on Thursday. —Fred Imbert, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2026

Furthermore, potential downgrades to the city’s credit rating will cost residents millions of additional dollars for decades to come. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

Verb

If the Dolphins want size, that would likely downgrade Lemon and Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion, another top receiver who's often been mocked to the Miami, both of whom measured in at just under 6-foot. —Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026

The bank downgraded the paint company to equal-weight from overweight. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 10 Apr. 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