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

The downgrade comes ahead of Target’s second-quarter report on Wednesday. —Brian Evans, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025

In other words, the equity is ripe for overdue downgrades and/or price-target cuts. —Schaeffer's Investment Research, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Verb

Bank of America’s Vivek Arya downgraded shares to a neutral rating and lowered his price target, citing ongoing China and leading-edge headwinds. —Samantha Subin, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025

International lenders are watching, and all three ratings agencies have now downgraded U.S. credit. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 Aug. 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