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

Just before making that payment, Saks reached a deal with bondholders for up to $600 million in new financing to increase the company’s liquidity and better meet obligations to vendors, but the maneuver triggered a downgrade by Standard & Poor’s. —David Moin, Footwear News, 16 July 2025

Shares of Enphase Energy also slipped 2% after similarly receiving a downgrade to neutral from overweight. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 15 July 2025

Verb

Mizuho Securities and Stifel each downgraded CoreWeave to hold earlier this month, while Citigroup on July 8 placed a downside catalyst watch on the stock. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 22 July 2025

Mexico’s aviation safety rating was downgraded by the FAA in May 2021 for non-compliance with minimum international safety standards. —Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 22 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