1
as in to reduce
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the view that such a system degrades doctors to the status of medical employees who ultimately are not in charge of their patients' health care
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to deteriorate
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
degrading the school's animal mascot with a silly costume
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3
as in to humiliate
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the players degraded themselves with their crude antics off the field
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degrade
The findings challenge the conventional assumption that defects degrade material performance.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2026
Karácsony is one of those decent, upstanding politicians which degraded systems sometimes throw up unexpectedly.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
When asked to comment, Apple pointed to previous statements, saying that the DMA discourages innovation, weakens privacy protections, delays or degrades product launches and increases security risks.
—Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Over time, batteries begin to degrade and release a chalky white residue, or else begin to swell up and release heat – familiar warnings of failure.
—Chelsea Haney
april 10, New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2026
Karácsony is one of those decent, upstanding politicians which degraded systems sometimes throw up unexpectedly.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
When asked to comment, Apple pointed to previous statements, saying that the DMA discourages innovation, weakens privacy protections, delays or degrades product launches and increases security risks.
—Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Over time, batteries begin to degrade and release a chalky white residue, or else begin to swell up and release heat – familiar warnings of failure.
—Chelsea Haney
april 10, New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrade
Verb
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Smith said after talking to Gregg, Wheels Up reduced the price to $850, but storage fees for having the car since April 1 bring the grand total to at least $2,600.—
Liz Crawford,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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Much like Vietnam, only a lot faster, the American war in Iran has reduced itself to saving face.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Despite his professional success, his home life deteriorates, particularly his relationship with his daughter.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
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The lawsuit says the hospital did not tell his family that Hylton’s condition had deteriorated and that he had been transferred to the ICU without a doctor on-site.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tiger Woods is reportedly reeling after his latest DUI arrest, humiliated by the fallout.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
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Attorneys representing Butler, Darnbrough, the Commonwealth and the Bristol District Attorney’s Office at the Thursday status hearing all argued the letters lacked veracity, contained false allegations meant to humiliate and embarrass Butler and Darnbrough, and should not be disclosed.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Johnson demoted Brewer from board chair following the Pettigrew vote, but Brewer has so far rebuffed the mayor’s attempt to demote him from operating chair, and for now he’s supported by a majority of the board.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
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Chennai buckled down Kolkata to 36-2 in the power play despite Ajinkya Rahane demoting himself down the order after the skipper struggled to give his team strong starts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sinlaku is forecast to continue weakening through the next few days, the National Weather Service said, passing west of the islands of Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan through the latter half of the week.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Some target the bacterial cell wall, weakening it until the cell breaks apart and dies.—
Panteha Torabian,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In Mexico the loss of territory discredited the country’s conservative government and left many of its citizens unsure of their country’s future as an independent state.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 Apr. 2026
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This negativism and teen-like outbursts consequently discredit and tarnish the reputation of our country.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The series offered a look at Mormon moms in Utah that subverted viewers’ expectations.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
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Instead, these public dollars went to a DeSantis political fund aimed at subverting ballot measures to legalize private use of marijuana and constitutionalize women’s ability to access reproductive health care.—
Howard L. Simon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Watching a prodigy embarrass the world over 72 holes was riveting; equally captivating is following the same person be exposed by life, hubris and ego.—
Mac Engel
April 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
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And, as if embarrassed by the whole business, the show will do something crazy to blast the tear from your eye.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Degrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrade. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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