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 software company tumbled more than 2% following a downgrade from Bernstein. — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 6 July 2026

The move is widely deemed inexplicable and inexcusable, as George is considered an inconsistent, injury-prone downgrade from Brown, despite the draft capital. — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Verb

After stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry's security was downgraded and he is no longer entitled to tax-payer funded security. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Baird downgrades Citizens and M & T Bank to neutral from outperform and Regions to underperform from neutral Baird downgraded several banks on Monday and says the risk/reward is negative. — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 6 July 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