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
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
Proteins, which are made up of sequences of amino acids, are more robust than ancient DNA, a fragile molecule that degrades relatively easily.
—
Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
For people with diabetes, heat degrades temperature‑sensitive medications and makes blood sugar harder to control.
—Anthony Nicome, STAT, 13 May 2026
In a world where most conversations take the form of cautious whispers, information degrades quickly.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 13 May 2026
The soil degrades into a fine, powdery mix that compacts and can't hold onto moisture.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
In the teeth Without access to all the repair enzymes made by living cells, DNA rapidly degrades.
—ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
Also, avoid rubbing the scent onto your skin, as this degrades the fragrance.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
Instead of following the usual low-energy breakdown, the material degrades more slowly through a higher-energy pathway.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026
Rising demand for biomass fuels also degrades watersheds and wildlife habitats as people go deeper into previously undisturbed areas, increasing pressure on ecosystems and the species that depend on them.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
For people with diabetes, heat degrades temperature‑sensitive medications and makes blood sugar harder to control.
—Anthony Nicome, STAT, 13 May 2026
In a world where most conversations take the form of cautious whispers, information degrades quickly.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 13 May 2026
The soil degrades into a fine, powdery mix that compacts and can't hold onto moisture.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
In the teeth Without access to all the repair enzymes made by living cells, DNA rapidly degrades.
—ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
Also, avoid rubbing the scent onto your skin, as this degrades the fragrance.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
Instead of following the usual low-energy breakdown, the material degrades more slowly through a higher-energy pathway.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026
Rising demand for biomass fuels also degrades watersheds and wildlife habitats as people go deeper into previously undisturbed areas, increasing pressure on ecosystems and the species that depend on them.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrades
Verb
-
The system enables closed-loop recycling, which extends material life cycles and reduces cotton emissions and pollution.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
-
Oatmeal's beta-glucan fiber helps curb hunger, supports weight loss, and reduces harmful visceral fat.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2026
Verb
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That is why a hedge here makes sense while markets sit near highs, VIX remains compressed near the high teens, and investors are still leaning heavily into a handful of leadership names as the macro backdrop deteriorates.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
-
Hospitals use the same billing codes for the ER visit, whether a patient’s condition deteriorates or not.—
Andrew Jones,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Incompetent leadership humiliates us on the global stage.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
And the President doesn’t seem to mind if Vance humiliates himself running errands.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As complexity rises, decisions fragment, priorities shift and trust weakens.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Excluding unhoused people from public spaces reinforces stigma and weakens the social bonds that support stability and recovery.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Yet despite its popularity, research discredits this long-standing belief.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One nanny will try to get to the bottom of it before all the partying, power and privilege corrupts her.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The criticism most often leveled at proposals to support journalism is that government money corrupts editorial independence, which is a very real concern.—
Julian Baron,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Graft inquiry embarrasses Zelensky Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said in a Telegram announcement that the investigation into Yermak is ongoing.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The story begins on a train, somewhat subverts the typical strangers-on-a-train narrative in which a chance encounter leads to a love story (that is, the Linklater version rather than the Hitchcock one).—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The play subverts itself, never allowing an audience to gain a commanding foothill, even at the end when (suffice it to say) the watchers become the watched.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Degrades.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrades. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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