1
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
a singing career on the downgrade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in downhill
a downward slope
the gentle downgrade of the parking area is designed for drainage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to demote
to bring to a lower grade or rank
increased automation resulted in many jobs in the factory being downgraded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reduce
to diminish the price or value of
the company's filing for Chapter 11 downgraded the stock to the point where it was selling for pennies a share
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of downgrade
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
The remote that is included, the Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced, lacks the Pro’s backlit buttons and remote finder feature, but is otherwise identical and isn’t a significant downgrade.
—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
16 June 2026
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
But expertise has been downgraded—and more people are getting their information from podcasters and influencers.
—
Boris Kachka,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for downgrade
Noun
Beyond its immediate financial ramifications, the deeper cost of an MSCI downgrade is reputational, Kurlantzick argues.
—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
The remote that is included, the Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced, lacks the Pro’s backlit buttons and remote finder feature, but is otherwise identical and isn’t a significant downgrade.
—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
16 June 2026
Verb
With regards to the baseball cards, Smith has pled guilty to one count of retail theft, downgraded from a felony to a summary offense, and has paid a $201 fine.
—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
But expertise has been downgraded—and more people are getting their information from podcasters and influencers.
—
Boris Kachka,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for downgrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downgrade
Noun
-
The National Institute of Standards and Technology said long-term corrosion and the failure of multiple slab-to-column connections likely contributed to a progressive collapse after weeks of structural deterioration.
-
Heston is at his most gleefully cynical as Robert Thorn, a police detective who lives and works in a New York City decimated by environmental deterioration and dwindling resources.
Noun
-
Spanning 7,045 yards from the tips, this is a fun and fair thrill ride right from your opening downhill tee shot.
-
Castle has mixed up playing on and off the ball so that his downhill, slow style could come out when needed.
Verb
-
Crowley, who was demoted to another position, filed a lawsuit against the city, saying the mayor engaged in a retaliation campaign.
-
With Wells expected back, the Yankees will have to demote one of their incumbent catchers.
Verb
-
New flyover ramps connecting to I-95 would also be built, while sound barriers would be installed along both sides of the corridor to help reduce traffic noise for nearby residents.
-
The rich treatment balances strengthening plant proteins with nourishing rosehip and sweet almond oils to reduce breakage and replenish moisture.
Adverb
-
In another, a Pullman maid is bent over, hard at work, with her hair swept back into a ponytail, her gaze pointed downward and focused on the task at hand.
-
Refik Anadol said, as the escalator carried us downward.
Noun
-
That window is shorter than most executives assume, as mental and physical declines often begin earlier than midlife, while the leader still feels fully capable and engaged.
-
The decline in energy prices is easing inflation concerns, which has helped push the 10-year Treasury yield down roughly 9 basis points.
Noun
-
If your energy dips, take a brief stretch, then return to the task with a lighter touch and clearer purpose.
-
At his beach house in the Hamptons, Andy Cohen begins and ends every day with a dip.
Adverb
-
The Peptide-132 Hair Bond Repair Treatment uses a proprietary peptide complex, along with keratin, collagen, and amino acids, to repair damage, smooth frizz, and strengthen dry or overprocessed strands without weighing hair down.
-
Regulators continue to focus on runway safety, and FAA data shows there were 1,636 runway incursions in fiscal year 2025, down from 1,758 in 2024 and 1,760 in 2023.
Cite this Entry
“Downgrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downgrade. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
