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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of degrade
This was designed to degrade and/or destroy three nuclear sites related to their nuclear weaponization ambitions.
—
CBS News, 22 June 2025
While the full extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear capabilities remains uncertain, what is clear is that Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been severely degraded and set back years, if not decades.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 22 June 2025
Israel’s primary aim is to degrade Iran’s nuclear program, said Scott Modell, CEO of the consulting firm Rapidan Energy Group.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 21 June 2025
Recent Israeli strikes have degraded both Iran’s conventional military capability and killed members of Revolutionary Guard leadership.
—Nakissa Jahanbani, The Conversation, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for degrade
CBS News, 22 June 2025
While the full extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear capabilities remains uncertain, what is clear is that Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been severely degraded and set back years, if not decades.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 22 June 2025
Israel’s primary aim is to degrade Iran’s nuclear program, said Scott Modell, CEO of the consulting firm Rapidan Energy Group.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 21 June 2025
Recent Israeli strikes have degraded both Iran’s conventional military capability and killed members of Revolutionary Guard leadership.
—Nakissa Jahanbani, The Conversation, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrade
Verb
-
While there is no federal ban against single-use plastic straws, some states and cities have put restrictions in place to help reduce waste.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
-
As part of its strategy to reduce cancer rates, the European Commission aims to reduce tobacco use to less than 5% of the EU population by 2040.—
Lisa Klaassen,
CNN Money,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
The Astros traded Pressly as a pure salary dump, influenced in part by his deteriorating relationship with general manager Dana Brown.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
-
Kenya’s deteriorating economy — youth unemployment stands at 67% — has turned the country into a tinderbox: Yesterday’s protests were preceded by violent demonstrations against the killing of a blogger while in police custody, leaving many seeking answers.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Miller sought to shield these women, her suit said, and as a result she was humiliated, harassed and ultimately forced out of her job by Spitzer and Nelson.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
20 June 2025
-
As Howard begins to humiliate Matt, the camera follows all angles of the table, making sure to showcase everyone’s reactions.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
With the Mets tentatively planning to activate Vientos on Monday, Mauricio is the likely candidate to demote.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2025
-
The Boston Red Sox are demoting top prospect Kristian Campbell, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
Abandoning recognition can erode motivation, diminish engagement and make employees feel invisible, weakening the cultural fabric and undermining long-term resilience.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
But in an unexpected ruling in 2023, the Supreme Court declined an invitation to weaken Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.—
June 27,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
That terrifying consequence alone is sufficient to discredit the executive order.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
30 June 2025
-
And for that, I was met with silence, deflection, and efforts to discredit me.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
The final scene subverted what was previously known about Dave, a man established to be a passionate investigator and aspiring writer trapped in a complicated relationship.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
28 June 2025
-
Erotic surrender alone will not subvert or even really trouble the monarchy, which requires its own elaborately binding outfits and public displays of intimacy.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
SoCal embarrassed the Jekyll & Hyde Utah team, who were flying how but who lose easily to the near-last place Hard Eights for their only win of the weekend.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Such an attack might embarrass Trump and spur him to make good on his threat in his address to the nation on Saturday evening to respond to Iran with even greater force.—
Uri Friedman,
The Atlantic,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Degrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrade. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share