1
as in reduces
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 deteriorates
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 humiliates
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 degrades
The body degrades creatine, turning it into creatinine.
—
Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025
Hazing is generally defined as an activity or action as a condition of joining or participating in a group that endangers, embarrasses or degrades a person.
—Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2025
If the situation at the front significantly degrades, Zelensky will feel more pressure at home to enter into talks about ending the war, even if that means a disadvantageous ceasefire.
—Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
The way the toxin gains entry is by activation of Bt’s chitinase which degrades the chitin lining a larva’s digestive tract.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025
This is how an institution fractures, a culture declines, and Hollywood’s love for hookers and thieves degrades itself.
—Armond White, National Review, 5 Mar. 2025
Each year hundreds of children are born legally blind because of a genetic disorder that degrades their retinas.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Firestone brought a Firestone Red Tire that degrades quicker than in the past, created a big difference between the Firestone Black primary tire and the Reds.
—Bruce Martin, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Worn out detectors and technology within the system naturally degrades the longer your detector is in use.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2025
Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025
Hazing is generally defined as an activity or action as a condition of joining or participating in a group that endangers, embarrasses or degrades a person.
—Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2025
If the situation at the front significantly degrades, Zelensky will feel more pressure at home to enter into talks about ending the war, even if that means a disadvantageous ceasefire.
—Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
The way the toxin gains entry is by activation of Bt’s chitinase which degrades the chitin lining a larva’s digestive tract.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025
This is how an institution fractures, a culture declines, and Hollywood’s love for hookers and thieves degrades itself.
—Armond White, National Review, 5 Mar. 2025
Each year hundreds of children are born legally blind because of a genetic disorder that degrades their retinas.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Firestone brought a Firestone Red Tire that degrades quicker than in the past, created a big difference between the Firestone Black primary tire and the Reds.
—Bruce Martin, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Worn out detectors and technology within the system naturally degrades the longer your detector is in use.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrades
Verb
-
Your healthcare provider may prescribe a topical corticosteroid medication that reduces scales, redness, swelling, and itchiness.—
Laura Schober,
Health,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Mulch also reduces problems with heaving soils.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
However, this growth could quickly diminish if the economy deteriorates and tariffs are imposed on AMD’s products.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
-
The call instantly deteriorates in sound quality.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
An easy monetary policy typically weakens a country’s currency, making exports cheaper and potentially supports growth in the face of tariffs.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Doing so weakens your home's heating system and is a fire hazard.—
Rabekah Henderson,
Southern Living,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Development not only disturbs or destroys the soil, but wipes out habitat.—
Carl R. Gold,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2025
-
First, allowing utilities to own generation destroys the competitive market.—
Mary Beth Tung,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Processing rare earths often involves the use of solvents, which can produce toxic waste that pollutes the soil, water, and atmosphere.—
Jason Neely and Eric Onstad,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Strong winds fan the fast-moving fires and smoke pollutes the air.—
Ignacio Calderon,
USA TODAY,
9 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Degrades.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrades. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share