Synonyms of degrade

degrade

verb

di-ˈgrād 

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

• reduce
• demote
• downgrade
• dismiss
• can
• bust
• sack
• break
• disrate
• debase
• humiliate
• demean
• lay off
• downsize
• fire
• abase
• lower
• humble
• cashier

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• promote
• raise
• advance
• elevate
• hire

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

• deteriorate
• weaken
• humiliate
• subvert
• dilute
• destroy
• corrupt
• debase
• demean
• poison
• ruin
• lessen
• cheapen
• damage
• pervert
• pollute
• debauch
• deprave
• abase
• vitiate
• demoralize
• contaminate
• mar
• impair
• bastardize
• disgrace
• prostitute
• hurt
• taint
• warp
• dirty
• shame
• harm
• profane
• humble
• spoil
• canker
• defile
• thin
• tarnish
• wreck
• dishonor
• water down
• flaw
• stain
• befoul
• depreciate
• deface
• descend
• begrime
• downgrade
• take down
• blemish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improve
• elevate
• uplift
• enhance
• better
• honor
• exalt
• enrich
• ennoble
• amend
• perfect
• ameliorate
• restore
• dignify
• refine
• clarify
• purify
• clean
• cleanse
• respect
• meliorate

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

• humiliate
• discredit
• embarrass
• debase
• demean
• confuse
• shame
• disgrace
• cheapen
• humble
• dishonor
• insult
• diminish
• abase
• rattle
• lower
• take down
• chasten
• minimize
• criticize
• detract
• foul
• smirch
• sink
• disparage
• belittle
• mortify
• depreciate
• ridicule
• confound
• disconcert
• defame
• faze
• malign
• discountenance
• decry
• defile
• condemn
• slander
• fluster
• libel
• castigate
• discount
• affront
• discomfit
• write off
• denounce
• abash
• put down
• cry down
• bad-mouth
• nonplus
• damn
• censure
• execrate
• reprehend
• reprobate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elevate
• exalt
• honor
• recognize
• aggrandize
• boast
• celebrate
• commend
• cite
• acknowledge
• applaud
• compliment
• decorate
• deify
• extol
• canonize
• congratulate
• tout
• praise
• cheer
• laud
• salute
• hail
• eulogize
• highlight
• promote
• acclaim
• ennoble
• glorify
• dignify
• magnify
• fete
• raise
• advance
• enshrine
• play up
• upgrade
• lift
• boost
• uplift
• enthrone
• spotlight
• idealize
• romanticize
• ensky

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of degrade

The casing worked for the electrons but couldn’t keep protons at bay, which degraded the photon detectors. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026

For example, standard plastics, composites, sealants, and lubricants manufactured on Earth will release trapped gases and volatile compounds, and rapidly degrade in Mars' near-vacuum. — New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026

Avoid overdrying, which can degrade the integrity of the individual cotton fibers. — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026

Nothing has degraded more for Latino men, however, than the simple pleasures of life. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026