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
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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
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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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Recent Examples of degrades
Phase 1 degrades military power and holds hostage the regime’s economic lifelines.
—
Richard Goldberg, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
And the implants can sometimes move or cause scar tissue buildup over time that degrades their signals.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026
Vigilance degrades; that is its nature.
—Robert B. Shpiner, STAT, 13 Mar. 2026
Accurate predictions of when and where an uncontrolled spacecraft will fall back to Earth can be difficult to make because the process is influenced by atmospheric dynamics, space weather and the probe’s positioning as its orbit degrades.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 10 Mar. 2026
Even the best, thickest landscape fabric degrades.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
Announced on March 6, this development addresses the issue of transistor overheating, which typically degrades processor performance.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026
How Long Potting Soil Lasts Potting soil typically degrades after nine to 12 months once the bag is opened and can last up to two years when unopened, says Scott.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
The condition degrades the ability to read, drive and recognize faces.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Richard Goldberg, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
And the implants can sometimes move or cause scar tissue buildup over time that degrades their signals.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026
Vigilance degrades; that is its nature.
—Robert B. Shpiner, STAT, 13 Mar. 2026
Accurate predictions of when and where an uncontrolled spacecraft will fall back to Earth can be difficult to make because the process is influenced by atmospheric dynamics, space weather and the probe’s positioning as its orbit degrades.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 10 Mar. 2026
Even the best, thickest landscape fabric degrades.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
Announced on March 6, this development addresses the issue of transistor overheating, which typically degrades processor performance.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026
How Long Potting Soil Lasts Potting soil typically degrades after nine to 12 months once the bag is opened and can last up to two years when unopened, says Scott.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
The condition degrades the ability to read, drive and recognize faces.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrades
Verb
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This reduces long setup times typically required for brain-computer interfaces.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Removing your data from these sites reduces the information criminals can use to target you.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Haldea cautioned that the secondary market could struggle to absorb a large wave of redemptions if investor sentiment deteriorates sharply.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The turtle slows, more organisms attach, and the animal’s condition deteriorates.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Later that season, Eric humiliates Bill in front of their Pierpoint colleagues by insulting his work quality and Bill dies from brain cancer.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Thecla humiliates him by ripping his robe and tearing the wreath off his head.—
Christy Cobb,
The Conversation,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Dark money significantly weakens democracy.—
Willie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Even as the wealth tax debate weakens Khanna’s support among Silicon Valley heavyweights, this may not be enough to unseat him, Maviglio said, noting the tax would affect fewer than 250 people in the state.—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The praiseworthyness of having both sides of the debate evaporates when the host actively discredits the expert and reflexively enhances the legitimacy of the conspiracy theorist.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
1 Dec. 2025
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Yet despite its popularity, research discredits this long-standing belief.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His relationship with his Jewish neighbors, the Brodskys, grows closer as Nazi power corrupts France.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
As Jay Jonah Atterbury, one of a handful of new characters on the fourth season of Industry, Kal Penn weaponizes and corrupts the stoner quirks viewers may recognize from his years playing Kumar Patel in the Harold & Kumar films.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Their team might need the firmer assessment that challenges pride and even embarrasses, then the next year's group might need a lighter touch.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
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Maia and her boyfriend Dylan (Josh Hustcherson) are on the outs after Maia completely embarrasses herself at Dylan’s game night with his co-workers.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
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With Manhunt, Felker-Martin subverts this convention, creating a post-contagion world in which trans women (and men and nonbinary people) not only exist but tell the story themselves across multiple viewpoint characters.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
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The seven-part limited series, which aired its second episode Sunday, subverts expectations at every turn, from its peculiar characters to the layered storytelling of writer-showrunner-director Steven Conrad to the nuanced performances of an enviable cast.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Degrades.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrades. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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