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
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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
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
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Recent Examples of degrade
Decades of such spills and gas flares polluted and degraded the natural environment, while successive Nigerian governments failed to develop our economies.
—
Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
The Pentagon and Israel's military say those strikes have severely degraded Iran's ability to launch missile and drone attacks, though Iranian missiles have continued to cause damage and claim lives in Gulf states and Israel this week.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
However, a stray thermal vibration can scramble qubit states in quantum computing or degrade the coherence in quantum sensors.
—Etiido Uko
march 23, New Atlas, 23 Mar. 2026
Try not to handle it too much with your bare hands, as the oils contained in your skin can degrade precious samples contained within the ancient meteorite, which dates back to the formation of the solar system.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
The Pentagon and Israel's military say those strikes have severely degraded Iran's ability to launch missile and drone attacks, though Iranian missiles have continued to cause damage and claim lives in Gulf states and Israel this week.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
However, a stray thermal vibration can scramble qubit states in quantum computing or degrade the coherence in quantum sensors.
—Etiido Uko
march 23, New Atlas, 23 Mar. 2026
Try not to handle it too much with your bare hands, as the oils contained in your skin can degrade precious samples contained within the ancient meteorite, which dates back to the formation of the solar system.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrade
Verb
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To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
24 Mar. 2026
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Gold has been one of the better-performing assets over the past year, and when markets get choppy, leveraged funds and institutional investors tend to reduce exposure.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If conditions continue to deteriorate, Polis could declare a drought emergency and seek federal disaster assistance.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
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In the crashes reviewed, the system did not detect common roadway conditions that impaired camera visibility or provide alerts when camera performance had deteriorated until immediately before the crash occurred.—
Andrea Guzmán,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And unlike some some prank shows, its intentions are good, its attitude humane — the entire purpose of the show is to bring out the best in its unsuspecting star, not to humiliate him.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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As 1994 approached, the United States was on the verge of hosting the World Cup — but national soccer officials were terrified that the home team was about to humiliate itself on a global stage.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After all, his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, demoted him as a working royal but didn’t do much else and provided him with the money to pay a settlement to Virginia Giuffre.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
18 Mar. 2026
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Just beware of adding something really wacky—like raisins—or you’ll be put on potluck probation and demoted to plate-and-napkin duty.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For the country’s leadership, weakened militarily and more isolated than ever, inflicting economic suffering has become the most powerful weapon available.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
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Continuous support could theoretically weaken muscles, so experts advise mixing exo use with traditional ergonomics and exercise.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The company, run by two former Israeli intelligence agents, has been involved in a number of controversies over the years, including an undercover operation on behalf of the film mogul Harvey Weinstein to discredit his accusers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
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Over the past year, this FCC has attacked the media as part of a years-long campaign by this Administration and its allies to discredit factual, independent coverage while blaming the press for growing public distrust.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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What starts as a series that aims to subvert the heist genre at every turn – amped with thrilling life-or-death stakes, family dynamics, and explosive action – gives birth to an exploration of what drives us, sustains us, and ultimately destroys us.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
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Prison is where the former Mesa County Clerk belongs to serve the full sentence she was given for her multiple crimes to subvert our elections.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tonight’s ceremony had none of the major dramatic mishaps that have both embarrassed the Academy Awards’ organizers and affirmed the event’s status as must-see live TV.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
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The Americans were left to root for the same team that embarrassed them, and that team delivered.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Degrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrade. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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