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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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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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
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As part of a long push to dig itself out of a financial hole triggered by the Covid pandemic, AMC Entertainment announced a multi-pronged agreement with creditors and lenders to reduce its leverage and take out near-term maturities.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
1 July 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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The Boston Red Sox are demoting top prospect Kristian Campbell, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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Terrible policy Perhaps Gabbard is sounding the alarm to discredit efforts — including a sanctions bill held up in Congress pending a green light from Trump — to pressure Putin into a meaningful negotiation on ending his war.—
Marc Champion,
Mercury News,
13 June 2025
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The irony is that the FTC is blind to the meaning of such substantial investment from Amazon, the very investment that thoroughly discredits the FTC’s case.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
Verb
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Emotionally charged, visceral and immersive, the new sequel 28 Years Later subverts expectations in many ways, not least by making a 12-year-old boy — Spike, played with a poignant balance of vulnerability and resilience by terrific newcomer Alfie Williams — the indisputable protagonist.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
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And yet, writer/director Celine Song subverts it all — and that’s the point.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
16 June 2025
Verb
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And best of all, no one could possibly be embarrassed by these empathetic words.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
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Mavericks 4-2 over Heat (2011): Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs absolutely embarrassed the Heatles.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Degrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrade. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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