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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to deteriorate
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 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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in insulting
intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value
made degrading comments about his so-called friend behind his back
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in reducing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deteriorating
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 humiliating
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
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Recent Examples of degrade
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 25 May 2026
Unlike conventional electronics that rely on plastics and heavy metals, the MEG degrades safely after use.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 24 May 2026
Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
Were Fidel Castro’s efforts to free his people from the degrading influences of foreigners meant to be erased by a president who, instead of allowing Cuba to struggle with its problems, added to them by cutting its oil supply?
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 14 May 2026
In contrast, the researchers engineered separate strains of Bacillus subtilis to produce two cooperative polymer-degrading enzymes that work in tandem.
—New Atlas, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Verb
There’s no connection to degrading the conventional capabilities of Iran.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 25 May 2026
Unlike conventional electronics that rely on plastics and heavy metals, the MEG degrades safely after use.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 24 May 2026
Adjective
For Hildegard of Bingen, the German mystic, scientist, composer, and philosopher, women’s maternal bodies were not corrupting and degrading, but strong, nurturing, and creative.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
Were Fidel Castro’s efforts to free his people from the degrading influences of foreigners meant to be erased by a president who, instead of allowing Cuba to struggle with its problems, added to them by cutting its oil supply?
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
Thinking otherwise, Daly said, runs the risk of degrading human existence.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 14 May 2026
In contrast, the researchers engineered separate strains of Bacillus subtilis to produce two cooperative polymer-degrading enzymes that work in tandem.
—New Atlas, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrade
Verb
-
Clarify roles, reduce unnecessary scope, and make expectations specific enough for everyone to follow.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
26 May 2026
-
The field will be reduced to 15 teams after three days of stroke play.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Officials have described the overhaul as a long-overdue restoration effort aimed at addressing decades of deferred maintenance, including deteriorating infrastructure, water damage, failing HVAC systems and structural concerns throughout the building.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
28 May 2026
-
Farm credit quality is deteriorating — row crop farmers are experiencing a third consecutive year of declining crop receipts, and farm loan delinquency rates have reached their highest levels since 2021.—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Less than a week after that defeat, Arteta was rapidly thrust into his first ever managerial role at the club Guardiola had just humiliated, taking over at Arsenal and becoming the youngest manager in the league.—
Thomas Schlachter,
CNN Money,
23 May 2026
-
Black athletes were welcome at white institutions only once those colleges and universities were humiliated into recruiting them.—
Jemele Hill,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
The comments were not well received, with locals telling BBC Scotland News that the description was insulting and did not reflect the people in the area.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 May 2026
-
Instead, this just looks like virtue signaling to justify his controversial move to Baton Rouge, which is insulting to people actually affected by what the University of Mississippi represents.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
But after years of record investment by the state in such wildfire risk mitigation, two key money sources are drying up, potentially reducing the state’s annual budget for vegetation removal by hundreds of millions of dollars.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Although reducing carbon pollution, which stays in the atmosphere for hundreds of years, is key to tackling the climate crisis, slashing methane has been seen as something of a low-hanging fruit.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Verb
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The project, which began with foundation work in 2022 and expanded to roadway construction in 2023, includes replacing the deteriorating bridge deck, widening shoulders and adding carpool lanes in both directions.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2026
-
The technical setup is deteriorating, too, as fewer stocks participate in the rally and momentum stalls.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
In her report, Soto accused Sibrian of allegedly mocking and humiliating her for her accent, immigration status and race and calling her stupid.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
State caseworkers have sent an untold number of elders in their care to a coterie of homes with a history of hurting, ignoring or humiliating their residents, records and anguished families say.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
People management, on its own, is being quietly demoted.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
With the right-hander demoted, Yankees’ pitching coach Matt Blake said that Cruz still has things to work on, including his strike throwing and control of the running game.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Degrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrade. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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