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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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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
CBS News, 22 June 2025
While the full extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear capabilities remains uncertain, what is clear is that Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been severely degraded and set back years, if not decades.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 22 June 2025
Nicole Acosta, People.com, 20 May 2025
Image Threaded through every chapter is a running commentary on the malignant nature of pornography, which by design must grow ever more violent, degrading and humiliating to women to keep pace with the lightning-fast speed by which its tropes are absorbed into the mainstream.
—Maya Salam, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025
Scripts degrading or becoming inaccessible could account for some of the disorientation caused by memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s.
—Quanta Magazine, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Verb
This was designed to degrade and/or destroy three nuclear sites related to their nuclear weaponization ambitions.
—CBS News, 22 June 2025
While the full extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear capabilities remains uncertain, what is clear is that Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been severely degraded and set back years, if not decades.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 22 June 2025
Adjective
Ventura previously testified that Combs forced her to perform degrading acts.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 20 May 2025
Image Threaded through every chapter is a running commentary on the malignant nature of pornography, which by design must grow ever more violent, degrading and humiliating to women to keep pace with the lightning-fast speed by which its tropes are absorbed into the mainstream.
—Maya Salam, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
Flint Flint even says its batteries can work for a short period of time when lit with an open flame or damaged, ultimately degrading without causing a catastrophic event.
—New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025
Scripts degrading or becoming inaccessible could account for some of the disorientation caused by memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s.
—Quanta Magazine, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrade
Adjective
-
Trump’s orders are insulting to state and local officials, but especially to the Marines.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
17 June 2025
-
To make matters worse for the 46-year-old politician, the Toronto superstar shared his insulting message on his Instagram story.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
But the racial order of the day also made these jobs, which were physically challenging to begin with, especially demeaning, humiliating, and fraught with danger.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
21 June 2025
-
Being high and coerced into this demeaning lifestyle.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 June 2025
-
The first-degree arson charges and malicious damage by explosive charges are connected to the damage to two homes on each side of Barnette’s property.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Alcala allegedly became angry, questioning paternity and hurling derogatory comments at her.—
Scott Schwebke,
Oc Register,
13 June 2025
-
The England fans, desperate for a good time, started working their way through a repertoire of songs, including serenading Manchester City’s Phil Foden, who was not included in Tuchel’s squad, and singing derogatory chants about Keir Starmer, the United Kingdom’s prime minister.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
The memoir describes the fallout of Lacey’s divorce from her emotionally abusive husband.—
Diana Arterian
June 20,
Literary Hub,
20 June 2025
-
The three bonded over the topic, sharing stories about abusive relationships from their past – either their own entanglements, or their friends’.—
Tom Roland,
Billboard,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
The 2023 Economic Report Of The President published in March of 2023 was relatively disparaging of cryptoassets and DLTs.—
Lawrence Wintermeyer,
Forbes,
5 Dec. 2024
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Prior to appearing on Cunningham's show on Monday, Huggins made more disparaging remarks about Xavier.—
Emily DeLetter,
The Enquirer,
10 May 2023
Adjective
-
While uncertainty is an inevitable part of the industry, consulting firms have an enormous opportunity to rise above disruption by aligning their strategies with three critical focus areas: innovation, operational efficiency and a people-first mindset.—
Amy Bjarnason,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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The lasting impact of the 1953 coup While the U.S. and Iran have butt heads over a range of issues since the 1979 revolution and hostage crisis, including years of strife over Iran’s nuclear program, the 1953 coup remains a critical event still invoked in modern Iran.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Degrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrade. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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