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

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

Initially listed as questionable for the game with back spasms, Norman Powell on Sunday morning was downgraded to out because of an upper respiratory illness. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026

However, Bank of America Securities downgraded Laopu to neutral from buy on March 26 given gold price volatility and slower economic growth. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 29 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