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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degrades
Dendrite growth degrades battery performance and can cause internal short-circuits, making fast charging particularly dangerous.
—
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
For investigators, that extra time means memories fade and evidence degrades.
—Mercury News Editorial, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
Organizations celebrate productivity metrics while quality quietly degrades.
—Tarun Galagali, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
If information sharing degrades after CISA 2015’s sunset, hospitals–and all other critical infrastructure–very likely will lose crucial early warnings about ransomware variants and other attack methods.
—Cynthia Kaiser, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025
The fossil record on Sulawesi is sparse, and ancient DNA degrades more rapidly in the region’s tropical climate.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
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
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
For investigators, that extra time means memories fade and evidence degrades.
—Mercury News Editorial, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
Organizations celebrate productivity metrics while quality quietly degrades.
—Tarun Galagali, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
If information sharing degrades after CISA 2015’s sunset, hospitals–and all other critical infrastructure–very likely will lose crucial early warnings about ransomware variants and other attack methods.
—Cynthia Kaiser, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025
The fossil record on Sulawesi is sparse, and ancient DNA degrades more rapidly in the region’s tropical climate.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrades
Verb
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Encouraging young adults to take on progressively larger responsibilities — whether through part-time work, volunteering or managing household duties — builds competence and reduces fear.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
This reduces the chance that graphic or violent content slips into your feed.—
Annie Margaret,
The Conversation,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Remodels stall, menu updates fall flat, and guest experience deteriorates.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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This means green signals are inherently weaker, and when outdoor sunlight adds noise, the measurement range shrinks even further, and accuracy deteriorates.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And Sacks, a PayPal Mafia member and veteran Silicon Valley investor, is just the sort of titan of industry this town routinely devours and humiliates — from Rex Tillerson to, well, Elon Musk.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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And whether the Carolina Panthers are just stuck in an endless loop of embarrassment, one that alternately humiliates and enrages their fans.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Any delay in release weakens hatchlings and affects their survival rates.—
M. Rajshekhar,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
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Beyond 100 people, culture often fragments, communication distorts and the founder’s vision weakens.—
Jonathan Low,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Absolute power corrupts absolutely.—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement The film largely follows the trajectory of the novel, but changes some details along the way—and adds one new, final twist that subverts the overall message of King's dystopian tale.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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On view through October 18, the exhibition subverts traditional notions of perception, born from Calle’s bold takeover of the museum.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Chasing broad keywords dilutes value.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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That’s another lazy phrase that demeans the dynamic of sport.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Degrades.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrades. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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